Siaya senator, Oburu Odinga, was compelled to defend himself against reports that he was fronted for four Senate committee seats.
Oburu, Raila Odinga's elder brother, dispelled the allegations, clarifying that Azimio la Umoja only offered him two seats.
"I have not been fronted for four committees but two, energy and devolution as it stands now.
"Whoever has a problem with my representation should contact my party ODM and Azimio la Umoja," his statement dated Friday, October 14, read.
The former member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) defended his endorsements, noting that he was among the first candidate to express interest in the Senate positions.
He further explained that Azimio la Umoja did not formulate policies to inform its members of the criteria for contesting for positions in Senate committees.
Oburu thus faulted Azimio's leadership but insisted that he would take a different stand if the party issued fresh directives to solve the Senate leadership stalemate.
"I want to clearly state that I had communicated my interest to be a member of Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) early and before any other person had made their interest known. It was my decision as a duly elected member of Senate, representing Siaya County just like other senators," he argued.
His sentiments came after a series of protests from Azimio legislators who accused some members of bulldozing for committee positions.
Nyamira senator, Okongo Omogeni, called out Azimio la Umoja for sidelining some factions in the house leadership committees.
Speaking during a Senate session on Thursday, October 13, the renowned lawyers lashed out at the Raila camp for not rewarding its loyalists.
"If you have leadership, you must be magnanimous. You need to put service to the people ahead of personal interests.
"On the minority side, the one which should be leading with example, our leaders have allocated themselves membership in all the sessional committees. Shame on us. Shame on us!" Omogeni lashed out.
Omogeni specifically detailed that some regions which had overwhelmingly supported Raila in the Tuesday, August 9 polls were sidelined in the leadership of the house.
Earlier, Narok senator, Ledama Ole Kina, and Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, had also called out Azimio and ODM party for sidelining some legislators in leadership positions.
The two reached out to the former Prime Minister, asking him to address the contest for leadership positions that had threatened to tear the coalition apart.
