Orange Democratic Movement leader and stalwart Raila Odinga has admonished those within the party hierarchy who might be contemplating ways of undermining party harmony for a better public perception, to desist from such moves.
During a Minority Parliamentary Group meeting held ahead of the National Assembly resumption from recess, Odinga told Members of Parliament that it was not about politics but a matter of showing the country responsible leadership through ODM alliance with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He made this statement against the background of turmoil within ODM over the Ruto-Odinga handshake and political friendship. Thus, the party’s elected leaders have talked against the collaboration saying that it is not the right direction the party should be taking.
Odinga asked the MPs to be disciplined and committed to the cause and he blamed those who, he alleged, did not demonstrate leadership for lack of it. He said that ODM was a party with a strong history of putting the country first and he invited lawmakers to support the government’s plans for privatization and security, which he considered an important step to increase revenue.
The ODM chief was quick to assert that it was not proper to be speculating about the party’s political move in the 2027 General Election. He was of the opinion that such questions should only be answered after ODM party officials have had their say and come out with structures-based decisions.
Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, was conspicuously missing from the Parliamentary Group meeting, and his absence has led to a lot of speculation among party members.
The meeting also comes before ODM’s 20th anniversary, a milestone the party’s founding father termed as another victory for the party against all odds and a testament to its staying power on the Kenyan political scene.
