Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is now rushing against time to quell rising tensions from a section of leaders in his Orange Democratic Movement - ODM camp over Parliamentary leadership.
The former Presidential contender is scheduled to meet all ODM elected and nominated members of the National Assembly and the Senate on Monday, September 26.
The first task on his plate is to end unrest arising from Azimio la Umoja's choice to hand the National Assembly majority leader post to Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.
Nominated MP John Mbadi, who was eyeing the position citing his experience from handling the Minority Leaders seat, was not amused by the alliance's choice to bypass him.
He argued that he had to shelve his Gubernatorial ambitions for Homa Bay County after the alliance promised him roles at the National Assembly.
Separately, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and Narok senator, Ledama Ole Kina, waged a war against the alliance's leadership demanding rewards for their loyalty and sacrifice.
They argued that the party leadership actively failed to recognise for their allegiance and vowed to withdraw their loyalty if the status quo is maintained.
Their biggest concern was the dishing out of house leadership positions which they lamented was unfairly given to those who were older in the ODM party.
"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.
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 Silvanus 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 told the media in a press briefing on Friday, September 23.
The Orange party is also at loggerheads with Jubilee and Wiper parties over the membership to the all-powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). The entire opposition has only three slots in the commission with Raila's brother Oburu Oginga already laying claim to one.
