City businessman and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) life member, Jimi Wanjigi, has acrimoniously quit the party.
Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Saturday, February 26, Wajigi officially announced that he had cut ties with ODM and its party leader, Raila Odinga, over what he described as blatant hostility from the party.
He claimed that the indifference began when he declared that he would be challenging the former Prime Minister for the party's presidential ticket.
"All I asked was a fair chance in this party to compete for the presidency of this party that I have loved so very much. Their answer has been kicks and blows throughout as witnessed today," he noted.
Wanjigi blamed Raila for masterminding the chaos witnessed on Saturday at Kasarani where he was roughed up. He added that he would make an announcement on his next move this coming week.
"It is unfortunate that I had to run, I think that was the saddest point. I am not a man who is made to run away from anything, but the view is that it was going to get very messy if I stay.
"Raila Odinga, I thank you very much for the kicks and blows you have shown me. My relationship with him, at least in the political space, is seemingly over. This coming week, I will be announcing my direction in my quest for the presidency," he noted.
Taking a swipe at the Raila Odinga, who was officially been endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as his preferred successor, the businessman claimed that the former PM was intolerant to the Mount Kenya region, where he comes from.
He consequently asked voters from the region to reject Odinga, who he termed as a project of President Kenyatta.
"I ask that region, you have seen the way they have treated me, even after I have given my life for him. I ask you today to reject this man who is being brought to you as a project by an outgoing president who is unpopular," Wanjigi pronounced.
Wanjigi's woes in ODM have been escalating and affecting his allies. On Wednesday, Party officials of the ODM branch in Machakos suspended their chairman, Jacob Mule, alleging he supports the tycoon rather than party leader, Raila Odinga.
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