ODM Party initiated the process of removing Migori Governor Okoth Obado from office by instructing MCAs to table an impeachment motion against him.
Of all the ODM governors who have been accused of corruption and faced impeachment, among them Sospeter Ojaamong' of Busia, Wilberforce Ottichilo of Vihiga and Wycliffe Wangamati of Bungoma, ODM has only pushed for the removal of Obado. This has left many Kenyans wondering why the party zeroed in on the Migori governor.
"Only a leader who has lost respect for his constituents and has no conscience would want to continue staying in office with such shameful charges against him,” ODM Chairman John Mbadi told a press conference at Orange House in Nairobi on Thursday, September 3.
Bad blood between Obado and Raila Odinga can be traced to the governor's defection from ODM in 2013 just months to the General Election.
Obado, who had been the chairman of the Kenya Sugar Board, claimed that he was rigged out and despite lacking Odinga's support, he trounced the then ODM candidate.
Deputy President William Ruto who had appointed him to the Kenya Sugar Board threw his weight behind the governor.
Towards the 2017 General Election, Obado and Odinga buried the hatchet and the governor was welcomed back to ODM to defend his seat using the party's ticket.
The year that followed, the county boss was implicated in the murder of the late Sharon Otieno and the party leader seemingly left him out to dry.
During a past tour of Migori, Raila threw what was interpreted by many as a jab towards Obado.
“I am speaking here, the capital of Migori County. We all know what happened here pertaining the heinous murder of the 26-year-old girl and her infant.
"The guilty must be made to pay for their sins. We cannot have such criminals free in the country," Odinga proclaimed.
While accompanying DP Ruto at the launch of the Kendege Technical Training Institute, Obado asked the DP to protect him against "mamba" who wanted to destroy him.
“Is there a problem if I worked with Governor Okoth Obado? I will not mind what will be said of our closeness,” Ruto responded.
While the governor may have joined the BBI bandwagon, Ruto's allies have come to his defense following the impeachment plot.
“We expect if MCAs are to impeach Governor Obado, they need to have solid grounds as provided for by the Constitution. At this time, it is for political expediency because as a party which prides itself in democracy ODM is applying double standards,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei told a local publication.
