Orange Democratic Movement Party (ODM) on Tuesday, February 7, released a statement after a section of its members dumped party leader, Raila Odinga, for President William Ruto.
Communications director Philip Etale alleged that the meeting did not come as a surprise as their members, including Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwour (Jalang'o), were wooed for months.
"The visit to State House this morning by a section of ODM members of parliament has not come as a surprise to the party and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Movement. The party has been monitoring closely the behind-the-scenes activities involving some of them and today was just the climax," part of the statement read in part.
"Since the victory of our Party Leader the Hon. Raila Odinga was stolen and the will of the people subverted after the General Election, some leaders have elected to undermine the leadership of the party and chosen to go against the will of the people who elected them to positions they hold," Etale explained.
In an attack on Ruto's Kenya Kwanza, Etale added that the government was spending money to bribe the opposition members to derail them from putting it under check and balance.
"Three months ago, the Azimio la Umoja leadership began rallies to push for the reclamation of its victory from the hands of the illegitimate administration to provide the leadership Kenyans want, but all along, we knew the enemy will not sit pretty.
"They have started spending plundered money to hoodwink some of our leaders to scuttle our activities. Such meetings are aimed at diverting Kenyans' attention from issues they face, ranging from the high cost of living, unbearable school fees for their children, and graft," he added.
Etale also urged Raila's followers and the country to ignore the leaders, who he argued were selfish. The veteran journalist claimed that Jalang'o and the other MPs only cared about themselves rather than the well-being of the millions of poor Kenyans.
"We know that in the quest for legitimate leadership, some will fall by the wayside, and some will be compromised, but the movement remains unstoppable.
"This is a people’s movement aimed at defending the constitution of the land. History will judge harshly leaders who want to betray Kenyans by accepting handouts to scuttle the movement's activities," Etale warned.
Migori Senator, Eddy Gicheru Oketch, also condemned his colleagues, who lamented sold the souls of residents who campaigned and voted for them.
Among the politicians who accompanied Jalang'o to State House were Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Shakeel Shabir (Independent - Kisumu Town East) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).
Immediately after the State House meeting, Jalang'o revealed that he had met the Head of State to discuss development projects in the Lang'ata constituency.
"I visited the President to follow up on the start date of affordable housing in Highrise Ward," the first-term MP stated.
In a later retracted tweet, State House, Nairobi, announced that the politicians had pledged their loyalty to work with the government.
