Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM chairman John Mbadi on Thursday had a rough time with some youths who attempted to eject him from Azimio meeting in Machakos county. The youths in their tens turned wild and demanded that Mbadi leaves the meeting calling him a traitor and disrespectful to the ODM chief.
They unsuccessfully attempted to physically eject him at Maanzoni Lodge hotel in Athi River during the outfit’s Parliamentary Group on Friday. The leaders had just broke for lunch after holding a morning session when the youths faced Mbadi.
“Mbadi should respect Baba, let him get out of this meeting,” the charged youths shouted. It took the intervention of several MPs to calm them down and let Mbadi be.
They also demanded that Mbadi resigns as the ODM chairman in favour of Embakasi East Babu Owino. The youths claimed that Mbadi had disrespected Raila and uttered demeaning words though he had been nominated by the same party.
The incident happened hours after the same youths blocked Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor aka Jalang’o from the same meeting. Jalang’o was denied access after meeting President William Ruto at the State House on Tuesday, with 8 other ODM lawmakers.
He protested his ejection maintaining that he was still a bonafide ODM member and that he won’t apologise for meeting the President. “I came here because I’m a member of ODM and Azimio. When I went in, a boy blocked me and said I wouldn’t get in. but after that, I was allowed in,” Jalang’o said.
But in a quick rejoinder, Raila said those leaders who went to State House to meet the President were traitors stating that they should all resign from the party and Azimio coalition.
“What is now more attractive in Kenya Kwanza than Azimio? Political prostitution must be condemned.” Raila said.
However, Kalonzo pleaded with Raila to forgive Jalang’o and instead welcome him back ‘home’. “When someone wants to say sorry, please don’t throw them out,” Kalonzo said.
After the Maanzoni retreat, the Azimio team will head to Mavoko for a rally, followed by another one in Busia on Sunday and wind up the weekend with another rally in Kisii town on Monday.
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