The drama around the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party went to fresh heights on Monday after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga took a swipe at some unnamed elements for allegedly embarking on a smear campaign towards the Odinga family.
Ruth Odinga spoke during the hosting of the Kisumu Bunge La Wananchi at her home, where, without mentioning names, she claimed some people were keen on furthering themselves at the expense of the Odinga family.
"We have lost my brother and my sister. it is very sad to find that people, especially on social media, disparage the name of this family," the lawmaker lamented.
She went on, "It is wrong, it is undermining the family, and it is disrespecting Raila Odinga. By actually disrespecting the family, it shows you were not genuine. It has only been two months. Let us mourn in peace."
In a subsequent statement on her official social media page, the late Raila Odinga's sister also openly dismissed sections of stakeholders within ODM who allegedly claimed to be closer to the late former Prime Minister than others.
Surprisingly, the Kisumu woman rep also came to the defence of Edwin Sifuna, who has been under fire from a section of the party for his stance on the Kenya Kwanza government.
Anyone telling Kenyans that Hon. Raila had a series of private conversations with him on a wide range of issues is lying and must be called out. Jakom had a way of speaking his mind and would make public his stand on national issues. Talking of Baba's sons, Nairobi Senator and ODM SG, Edwin Sifuna was equally his son and used to talk to him. So no one should claim to have been closer to Raila than everyone else," she went on.
While she did not necessarily mention any names, Ruth Odinga's remarks on Sifuna came in the back of sensational claims made by Oketch Salah, a politician and adopted son of the late former Prime Minister.
Oketch, while speaking during a function in Rarieda Constituency on Thursday, December 24, claimed he had private talks with Raila during the former Prime Minister's final days, where he was allegedly told the Nairobi Senator was being closely monitored.
“One thing that Raila once told me that I have now seen happening is about Sifuna. He once told me to forget about Sifuna, saying he was closely observing him and that he might be someone’s mole, and it has now begun to show. Sifuna has begun to show that indeed he was being used by someone, just like Raila told me,” he said.
But Ruth Odinga, in a subtle rejoinder, urged ODM party members to shun away from side shows and instead pursue the 10 point agenda of the NADCO report.
On the claims of 'selling of ODM', Ruth Odinga sensationally suggested the party had already been sold and the 'sellers' were under pressure to meet timelines to complete the transaction.
