Woes continued to mount within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Tuesday, February 7, after the party's Chairman John Mbadi affirmed that he was ready to quit his position.
Speaking at Parliament buildings, the ODM politician directed the party's leadership to appoint a vice-chair who would succeed him in the position.
Clarifying that he was still a member of the party, Mbadi pointed out that he would still serve ODM in whatever capacity thereafter.
“I am not a person to run away from the office before we get good succession, I want to be succeeded, and I will still serve the party in whatever capacity.
"You know some people think being a chair is something I am dying for. Far from the truth, I have done my bit,” he noted.
Mbadi, who has served as the party chair for nine years, maintained that the chairmanship position did not ultimately define his role within the party.
"I am still alive, they can take away the chairmanship and I will still be alive. I want to repeat it for the record, I want to leave this position of ODM chair,” he declared.
While responding to accusations from leaders for skipping rallies convened by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“Those who think being chairman is so important to them let them offer themselves to lead, I am very ready to leave the position to them, right now I am the chair but I am not dying to be the chair, I have done by bit they took away my position as the minority leader," Mbadi pointed out.
The news came shortly after nine ODM MPs convened at State House for a breakfast meeting with President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
These included Shakeel Shabir (Independent - Kisumu Town East), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Paul Abuor (Rongo) and Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang'o).
Philip Etale, the ODM Director of Communications, however, noted that the meeting did not come as surprise to the party's leadership owing to the months of wooing from the ruling administration.
He alleged that Ruto's government was willing to spend money in what he described as an attempt to bribe the Azimio members and essentially weaken the opposition.
"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 noted.
