Siaya Senator James Orengo has ridiculed his critics in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the recent setback of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) agenda.
The BBI process was halted after a five-judge bench of the High Court, on Thursday, May 13, deemed the bill to be null and void.
Speaking during the burial of former South East Alego MCA Joshua Osuri in Siaya County, Orengo faulted his critics for seeking his help only when they were in trouble.
He referenced the recent attacks from Raila's allies after he raised issues over the legality of the BBI process. He was later vindicated when the courts declared it null and void.
"When the party is in turmoil everyone looks for me asking for my whereabouts, but during other days they undermine my capability," Orengo stated.
The Senator will be among the lawyers representing the BBI team at the Court of Appeal.
He also revisited the 2017 General elections, criticising his ODM colleagues for abandoning the party leader Raila Odinga during his time of need.
"I remember after the 2017 General Election during the swearing-in of Raila at Uhuru Park only a handful of us were at the forefront.
"I can only recall our 'chief justice' that day Ruaraka MP Tom Joseph Kajwang. When we want people who are strong and can fight for the party they are nowhere to be seen," Orengo recalled.
The news comes as dissension between the ODM party has been in play over the recent past.
The dispute began when a section of the leaders among them Orengo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo questioned the distribution of the proposed 70 new constituencies indicated in the bill.
They resisted the bill to be passed as it is which was termed as open defiance to Raila and the party's stance by National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed.
"He cannot run away from his baby. He is essentially trying to disown a document he himself, by the virtue of being a co-captain, authored. It is the height of political dishonesty," Junet stated.
Soon after, the party kicked Amollo out of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) as its Deputy Chairman in a move seen to crack the whip on alleged defiant members.
However, Raila displayed a show of unity within the party by inviting the two legislators, Amollo and Orengo, alongside Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya at his home to debate on key issues within the party.
