Africa-Press – Kenya. A group of MPs mainly from Luo Nyanza region, have called on top ODM leaders to desist from public exchange of words.
The legislators want their colleagues led by party Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed to refrain from their spats.
The seven MPs argued that with ODM being one of the largest parties in the country, they are concerned by the spectacle of self- cannibalisation that has been exhibited of late in the ODM party.
“Given the positions of trust bestowed on them, we urge the party officials like Senator Edwin Sifuna and Junet Mohamed, to desist from public verbal slurs and return to the table for internal discussions,” the MPs said at a press conference held on Monday at Parliament.
The leaders have joined Mombasa Governor and deputy party leader Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir in petitioning for a meeting of a top party organ to address the emerging differences that threaten to split the party.
The MPs raised fears that their party was losing popularity and that the squabbles were further aggravating the situation.
“We encourage the Party Leader to call for an internal ‘spitting session’ to avoid the ongoing mud-fest.”
“It is for this reason that we request our party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, to move with speed, convene the party’s organs and help restore public confidence in the party, before we begin to haemorrhage members to insignificant political formations,” the MPs led by Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo and Rarieda’s Otiende Amolo said.
They argued that the wrangles can only be due to the absence of the party leader, late Raila Odinga.
“It is a testament to how much we miss the wisdom and iconic leadership of our departed Rt Hon Raila Odinga, that divisive rhetoric has taken over our politics, without restraint,” the MPs said.
They added, “We call upon the party’s elected leadership and the wider membership to uphold the tenets of unity and camaraderie espoused by the late Raila Odinga. It is time to walk back on the rhetoric and come together to build a strong party ahead of next year’s elections.”
Millie (Suba North) and Otiende were flanked by colleagues Tom Odege MP (Nyatike), Catherine Muma (Nominated MP) John Ariko (Turkana South), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa) and Aduma Owuor (Nyakach).
“Even as we appear to self-cannibalise, we can’t help but curiously observe that small parties are aggressively and strategically moving to occupy the spaces previously held by our beloved ODM party. The current intolerance does not augur well for a revolutionary movement that Raila Odinga founded on the ideals of democracy, free speech and justice.”
At the same time, the leaders raised concerns over rising cases of political violence, warning that if not managed well, it may escalate to a full crisis in 2027.
They cited the last Saturday incident in Murang’a where the Lamu County Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu was physically attacked for expressing her opinion on the 2027 presidential contest.
The MPs also pointed to an incident where Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai is alleged to have attacked and threatened Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, due to different political views.
“These incidents follow hot on the heels of the violence that was witnessed in the recent by-elections, especially in Kasipul Constituency, where, unfortunately, two people were killed. Unless urgent action is taken to stem these emerging and unfortunate incidents, 2027 will be rocked by untold violence that is likely to undermine free and fair elections.”
At the same time, some of the ODM leaders differed with their colleagues who are accusing retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of being behind their internal wrangles.
“It is very easy to point fingers, but the issue requires us to look inwards. I urge our party to be alert and inwardly looking, as a movement, we are losing focus,” Millie said.
“In his lifetime, Raila Odinga held Uhuru Kenyatta in high regard. This respect did not change even after our 2022 electoral defeat. We cannot rewrite the narrative just because Baba is no longer with us,” Homabay Senator Otieno Kajwang wrote in a separate Facebook page.
“The 2022 election is water under the bridge and should not be used to cause confusion within ODM. We must deliver our people to the proverbial Canaan. ODM must embrace all progressive parties committed to this goal,” he added.
