By Samuel Ouma
ODM coastal legislators have lambasted Opposition leader Raila Odinga of marginalizing the area in the state appointments saying he only consider his cronies from his community.
Teddy Mwambire (Ganze), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni), Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South) and Michael Kingi (Magarini) hit at Odinga for pushing for the appointments of his allies from Nyanza region and abandoning coastal residents who overwhelming voted for him in last general elections. Last week ODM’s director of Communication and Media and director of operations Kathleen Openda and Joe Owaka were appointed the chairpersons of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication and placement Board of Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) respectively by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Odinga’s massive support in the region now hangs in the balance as the leaders press for the formation of their party to spearhead the needs of the locals who have been sidelined by every regime since independence.
“It is time we leaders start bargaining for our own piece of the national cake in the coming government and not through other people. We will form our own party and join other like-minded people on equal terms to be able to form a government and become equal partners,” said Mr. Owen Baya.
Last month a section of leaders from the region led by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi said they are ready to work with the deputy president William Ruto in forming the next government. Kingi revealed about an initiative to unite the region which has 1.7 million registered voters ahead of 2022 polls.
Malindi legislator, the ODM’s talisman in Coast, Aisha Jumwa had earlier backed William Ruto’s presidential bid labeling him as a frontrunner. Jumwa said the residents are tired to be in opposition and that it is time to join the government.
Ms Jumwa had dared ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to punish her for defying the party’s rules saying her support for Ruto is unshakable. Sifuna warned the party would punish rebels who have rallied behind the deputy President.
“You cannot threaten an elected leader. I personally will not agree to be threatened. I am an iron lady,” reiterated Ms. Aisha Jumwa.
Elsewhere, Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi has distanced himself from his Co-principal Moses Wetangula’s sentiments that National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition Is dead. Mudavadi, the pioneer of the troubled outfitted noted that the coalition is alive and is there to stay.
Wetangula, Ford Kenya party leader on Monday had termed the coalition moribund organization. In response to his claims ODM told him to quit immediately and his members to relinquish the positions they hold by virtue of being members of NASA.
Mudavadi confirmed wrangles in the outfit urging the co-principals to iron out their difference for the benefit of Kenyans. He said he is exploring all ways possible to resolve misunderstanding among members and vowed to rebuild NASA to form a formidable opposition.
