I Can Even Sweep State House for Raila - Mbadi on Quitting Race

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman, John Mbadi in Kajiado County on March 24, 2022.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman, John Mbadi in Kajiado County on March 24, 2022.
Courtesy John Mbadi

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman, John Mbadi, has revealed why he quit the Homabay gubernatorial race.

Speaking on Tuesday night, March 28, the lawmaker stated that he stepped down after having a conversation with his party leader, Raila Odinga.

Mbadi, who is the sitting Suba South Member of Parliament, stated that he did not have any problem with stepping down from the race and that he was ready to take up any role assigned to him by Raila even if it involves sweeping State House.

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ODM Chairman John Mbadi at a press conference in 2019
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Mbadi noted that Raila has insight on matters politics and he is anticipating that the ODM party leader will form the next government where he (Mbadi) will play a critical role.

The Suba South Member of Parliament hinted that he was promised a bigger role in the next government.

"It's not just obeying the voice of the party leader. It's also reasoning, I think many politicians fail to appreciate the reality. When you sit down with your boss and reason together and look at the pros and cons.

"Remember the governor is a county position. If your party boss tells you to accept that in the event you form the next government we work at the national capacity, you have to obey him. I can go and sweep State House if my party leader tells me to," he stated.

Mbadi compared himself to former Jubilee Party Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, who was appointed as a Cabinet Secretary without portfolio by President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

"Remember Raphael Tuju as Secretary General of Jubilee. He was very powerful when Jubilee came into power and he was even a minister without a portfolio. So, as the chair of ODM and the party goes on to form the next government, chances are that I will be somewhere in that government," he argued.

Mbadi dropped his bid just a day after the party announced that it would adopt consensus in some areas to avoid fallout. He was set to battle out for the party's ticket with Woman Representative, Gladys Wanga.

During the announcement, Mbadi noted that he made the move after careful discussion with the party and that he was committed to ODM.

"Well, I must say this has definitely been one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in the recent past. What has, however, made it doable is my unquestioned commitment to the ODM national agenda, the quest for national growth and stability and of course my unwavering support for the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga's presidential bid.

An image of John Mbadi in 2019
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi holding up an ODM party membership card in 2019
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"In the interest of these, I have today withdrawn my bid from the Homabay County gubernatorial race," he stated.

The lawmaker did not reveal whether he had endorsed any candidate in the Homabay gubernatorial race.