Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has found himself at loggerheads with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who accused him of changing the county assembly's leadership without his knowledge.
In a statement reiterating his stance on Tuesday, the county boss accused Sifuna of penning a letter to the Kakamega County Speaker replacing the assembly's majority leader Phillip Maina Ondako with Hon Geoffrey Ondiro Obonyo.
Barasa argued that the changes were made without his knowledge despite serving as the ODM's Kakamega County chairperson.
"The communication to the Speaker was not accompanied by any document such as minutes of the meeting in which the purported resolution was made," he lamented.
"As Chairman of ODM, Kakamega County, I have urged the Speaker to ignore the directive until such a time when it will be clear to the County Leadership that a decision of such magnitude is reached after fulfilling due processes, including necessary consultations; and condemn in the strongest terms possible this attempt to destabilise the Kakamega County House Leadership."
In an earlier press briefing, the governor expressed his disappointment in the party's direction and urged Ondako to continue serving in the position.
"This is a matter that we are very disappointed in. For people to come and interfere with the running of Kakamega County just because they are interested in supporting other candidates to become governors. We shall not accept," he added.
"If you want the gubernatorial seat, wait for 2027 and join the ring we deal with you. We are going to work with MCAs who want development."
He further claimed that on the day the changes were to be made, the ODM Secretary General had bribed several leaders to support his choice.
Barasa claimed that the MCAs attended the session armed with crude weapons. (Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify the claims."
"There are about 10 people who have been bought to cause chaos and I am aware that some of them went to the assembly with pangas to harass our people," he added.
"To the leadership of the party, we expect you to be a father figure and not start intimidating nominated MCAs just because they are supporting the Majority leader Phillip Ondako."
ODM Party has been in the spotlight in the past week over claims that factions had been created between former governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya as the succession race heats up.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, however, maintained that there were no factions within the leading opposition party and that Raila Odinga remained its leader.
