Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has dared perceived rebel Members of Parliament elected under the political outfit to resign from their roles and seek fresh mandates from the electorate.
Speaking during a meeting with business leaders and citizens in Kibra on Wednesday, Mr. Odinga said the rebels do not deserve to sit in Parliament under ODM tickets yet they have reportedly shown allegiance to the ruling party.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party boss told the said leaders that if they so much want to be under the Kenya Kwanza umbrella then they should step down and return to the ballot in the ruling political outfit’s colours.
“Let parties remain as they are, if you were elected in Azimio remain in Azimio, and if you leave to join Kenya Kwanza, go and seek re-election from the people,” said Mr Odinga.
He went on to train his guns on President William Ruto for what he termed as “buying” legislators into Kenya Kwanza, daring him to order the leaders to reign and be elected under his party’s ticket.
“Stop buying Members of Parliament as if they’re sheep. If you want many leaders on your side, let them resign and return to the people to be elected and if they win so be it,” he said.
“Stop breaking parties so that you have the majority representation in Parliament. Azimio got 172 seats and Kenya Kwanza got 165 and we won. Now he has bought our leaders saying that they have the majority leaders in the House.”
Some of the legislators that have shown affiliation to President Ruto’s party in the recent past include Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).
Others are Paul Abuor (Rongo), and Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata).
They were labelled “rebel MPs” after holding a meeting with President Ruto at State House, a move that rendered them “traitors” to the opposition, and saw MP Jalang’o booted from an Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting.
