Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga announced that he would support nominated Member of Parliament John Mbadi to recapture Suba South MP seat in 2027.
Raila who is also Azimio Coalition Party leader speaking during the Sindo Recruitment Rally, Suba South, Homabay County remarked that the current Suba South MP Caroli Omondi had betrayed him.
Caroli was given the ODM ticket in the run-up to the 2022 general election only to pledge his loyalty to President William Ruto immediately after capturing the seat.
The former Prime Minister stated that due to the betrayal by Caroli Omondi, the ODM ticket in 2027 would be a preserve for Mbadi who is the ODM party chairman.
“We willingly gave Caroli the ODM ticket when he expressed his intention to vie for MP in South Suba after Mbadi dropped out; that is why he won,” Raila stated.
“However, I was shocked to learn that Caroli decided to change his stance and join Ruto, citing development as his reason.”
Before the 2022 general election, Mbadi had contested and won three consecutive parliamentary elections.
He started as a Member of Parliament for Gwasi before being elected to represent Suba South in 2013.
Caroli was handed the ODM ticket in 2022 after Mbadi failed to participate in the nomination exercise as he eyed the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat.
The gubernatorial ticket was ultimately handed to Governor Gladys Wanga with Mbadi contending for a parliamentary nomination slot.
In February 2023, Caroli was among nine rebel MPs who visited State House, Nairobi to pledge their loyalty to President William Ruto.
Raila stated that he was angered by Caroli’s move considering that he had supported him for many years including lobbying for him a job at the World Bank.
Considering Wanga is in her first term as governor, Raila told Mbadi to accept his former parliamentary position.
“When a son wants to build a house, the father must be present. That's why I am standing by Mbadi as he builds a new house here in Suba, supporting him to build it strongly,” he stated in his endorsement.
