Orange Democratic Movement chairman, John Mbadi, has pinpointed the August 9 election loss as the sole reason for the wrangles dividing the party.
Mbadi, who was nominated to the National Assembly, claimed that ODM members had raised their bar too high by expecting to be in government and were now scrambling for the few seats awarded to election losers.
The former Suba South MP spoke to NTV on Friday, September 23.
"I don't think there is anyone disloyal to the party. We expected to be in government. We had expected too much but now we have too little to share,” Mbadi stated.
He further claimed that the party leadership was already regretting some of the mistakes it made while allocating parliamentary leadership positions. Mbadi had earlier objected to the nomination of Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi as the leader of the majority in Parliament.
In his objection, he claimed that Wandayi was his junior in the party and thus could not lead him in the National Assembly. The nominated MP reiterated his remarks in the interview with NTV.
"Recently there has been the issue of the leader of the majority, which even the leadership is acknowledging that they made a mistake, and I didn’t get it. I am still in the party and still supporting it," he stated while refuting reports that he was disloyal.
"Anyone who has not been favoured in ODM is me, the national chairman. Remember I wanted to be Homa Bay governor and I stepped down after being asked to do so," he added.
Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, had alleged that he was sidelined for the position of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), reportedly given to Mbadi who lost the leader of the majority position.
“ODM, why should John Mbadi come down from the position of leader of the majority to PAC chair which was reserved for me? This will not happen. It's now or never. He has been rewarded through nomination.
“So many youths and I sacrificed a lot and used our resources in the party over the years. Our pay is betrayal and blackmail. It is okay. Tomorrow is another day,” Babu lamented.
Mbadi was quick to refute the allegations and dismissed his counterpart. Additionally, he denounced claims that there was favouritism in the party after his appointment. He noted the changes in the leadership positions.
"The fact that you missed the seat you were promised does not mean there is betrayal. In my view, it is unfair treatment," he added.
"You should also ask yourself first if you can handle the role you are demanding," Mbadi slammed Babu Owino.
