Babu Owino, Ledama Issue Ultimatum to ODM

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina engaging in a conversation on Friday, September 22, 2022.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina engaging in a conversation on Friday, September 22, 2022.
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Ledama Ole Kina

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and Narok senator, Ledama Ole Kina, have demanded ODM party reward them for their loyalty and support in the campaigns during the August 9 polls.

Speaking to the media on Friday, September 23, the duo opined that they had been loyal to former prime minister, Raila Odinga, and his party over the years and were yet to be recognised for their allegiance.

The two stated that they would withdraw their loyalty in the event ODM failed to address their concerns.

Their biggest concern was the distribution of house leadership positions which they lamented was unfairly given to those who were older in the ODM party.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shaking hands with Azimio legislators on September 16, 2022.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shaking hands with Azimio legislators on September 16, 2022.
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Raila Odinga

"We want to see the party reward the youth, and loyalty. Otherwise, from today some of us will start being disloyal. If we will not be rewarded as the youth in ODM, then we will reward ourselves," Ledama Ole Kina stated.

He further complained that he put his life on the line for the party during the announcement of the presidential results at the Bomas of Kenya on August 15.

"There is no doubt that we spent sleepless nights for the last three months campaigning for our party to be able to win, but when it comes to sharing the victory that we got, we are sidelined.

"I put my life at risk to be able to defend what we all believe was our victory," he stated.

Babu on the other end urged his party to follow in the footsteps of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party with respect to their allocation of leadership positions.

"When you look at our opponents, look at how they have rewarded the youth. Mheshimiwa Osoro (South Mugirango MP Silvanmus Osoro) has been given the whip in the NA, and Ndindi Nyoro is either going to be a cabinet secretary or the chairman of the budget committee," the lawmaker expressed.

Raia is scheduled to hold a crisis meeting to address the fallout that has picked pace in recent days. 

The wrangles were occasioned by the nomination of John Mbadi as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson - a position Babu claimed he was promised during the campaigns.

Mbadi, however, explained that the wrangles were normal and were expected owing to the fact that ODM shared positions before with the belief that it would be in power. 

"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, who doubles up as ODM chairman explained. 

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua during Azimio PG on September 16, 2022.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua during Azimio PG on September 16, 2022.
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Raila Odinga