Raila No Longer Needed in Nyanza - Church Leaders Declare

by Jael Keya on Tuesday, 21 August 2018 - 7:35 pm

Nyanza region clergymen on Wednesday declared that National Super Alliance (NASA) Raila Odinga is not needed anymore by his backyard followers.

Speaking to journalists in their Homa Bay office, the religious leaders led by Bishop James Ochiel accused the ODM party leader of slowing down development in the region and stiffing internal democracy by attacking those opposed to his policies.

The Anglican Bishop further stated that the region requires another political outfit to challenge the dominance of ODM in the region.

"Why do we support only one political party,” he questioned.

[caption caption="File image of NASA principal Raila Odinga during a past rally"][/caption]

Additionally, the Bishop criticised ODM for nominating weak and non-assertive candidates based on party loyalty and consequently denying the region strong leaders.

Bishop Ochiel also condemned the leaders elected on the ODM party ticket of not helping to develop the region, claiming that they show more loyalty to Mr Odinga than to the people.

"We are not doing very well like the other counties because some leaders were imposed on the people. These leaders know that their loyalty to the party leader, Raila Odinga, is the only thing that will get them re-elected and not development,” commented Ochiel.

However, speaking to the Standard, ODM secretary for political affairs, Opiyo Wandayi refuted claims noted by the bishop exclaiming that his attacks on the party were misplaced.

The Ugunja MP stated: "Kenya is a multi-party democracy. He (the bishop) can form his own party to compete with ODM.

"He is also free to join elective politics to fill the leadership gap that he is talking about," expressed Wandayi.