Section of ODM lawmakers meet with President Ruto, defy party leader Raila Odinga’s orders
President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have today hosted a section of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party lawmakers from Nyanza region as a follow-up to his recent tour of the region.
Through a communique from State House, the President said that they held a consultative meeting with the leaders led by Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda to explore a mechanism of working together to address national and county issues in reiteration of the government’s commitment to serve Kenyans equally.
“Leaders must join hands, foster coexistence and work together in confronting the challenges facing our country. They must endeavour to lead by example and serve the interest of the people. This is a sure route to a more united and developed Kenya,” he stated.
He further stated that the purpose of the meeting was a clear indication that elections were over and that there was no need to polarize the country as the leaders in attendance pledged to work for all Kenyans.
Among the legislators who attended include Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, Kisumu East MP and Gem MP Elisha Ochieng, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Shakeel Shabbir, an Independent
However, the ODM party in a statement through its communication director Phillip Etale has distanced itself from the meeting as it said that it did not endorse the Nyanza leaders’ visit to President Ruto at State House.
The party has asked supporters to desist and “Ignore leaders who only care for their stomachs.”
“The visit to State House this morning by a section of ODM Members of Parliament has not come as a surprise to the party and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Movement…. The party has been monitoring closely the behind-the-scenes activities involving some of them and today was just the climax,” read the statement.
President Ruto’s meeting with the Raila led ODM party legislators has been seen as a move to try and dilute and destabilise the party’s strength and outreach in the region after a similar one was held with those from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party in January.
According to ODM, some of the party leaders are being used by the government to undermine the party’s leadership and go against the party’s position of declaring the Kenya Kwanza government as “illegitimate” and had resorted to using stolen money to dupe some leaders in order to thwart the Azimio One Kenya coalition planned countrywide rallies.
