National Super Alliance (NASA) Senators led by Minority Leader James Orengo have hit back at Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula after he accused coalition leader Raila Odinga of being behind his ouster as Senate Minority Leader.
In a hard-hitting statement, the senators denied that Raila had anything to do with Wetangula's removal, describing his recent pronouncements as 'reactionary and diversionary preoccupations with contestations and rhetoric'.
The lawmakers noted that not a single Senator from any of the 4 NASA-affiliate parties had opposed the move to remove Wetangula.
"The NASA Summit and Raila Amolo Odinga had no role in the decision which was made in accordance with parliamentary practice and procedure for reasons that include the need to maintain the balance between the coalition generally and the coalition in Parliament," the statement read in part.
They further called on Wetangula to accept his fate and embrace solidarity, accusing him of propagating ethnic division, sectarianism and parochialism.
"It is unfortunate that one of our principals would seek to denigrate the outcome of a democtratic process on the platform of the politics of ethnic division, sectarianism and parochialism.
[caption caption="Siaya Senator James Orengo"][/caption]
"We cannot pursue political goals and ambitions on the pedestal of bloated ambitions and falsehoods," it continued.
Wetangula had accused Raila of dictatorial leadership and masterminding his removal from his position in the Senate.
“I was thoroughly pained when, during the reconciliation meeting at Panafric Hotel, ODM legislators humiliated and insulted me in the full view of their leader. Mr Odinga just sat there, listened to it all, and in the end, only asked that we go for a retreat.
"From his body language and the statements made in that meeting, I concluded that the events of my removal had been orchestrated and rehearsed in his presence," he lamented.
[caption caption="The full statement from NASA Senators"][/caption]