ODM Members Claim There Were Plans to Merge Party With UDA: “Last Minute Change"
- A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members explained their reasons for not joining the Raila Odinga and William Ruto's Parliamentary Group meeting
- The Members of Parliament, including Caleb Amisi of Saboti and Antony Kibagendi of Kitutu Chache South, alleged plans of a merger between ODM and UDA
- They further called out Ruto and Raila's decision to condemn Members of Parliament while accusing them of corruption
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
Members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) who skipped the Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President William Ruto and Raila Odinga on Monday, August 19, have spoken out about their choice.
Source: Facebook
The Saboti MP, Caleb Amisi, and Antony Kibagendi of Kitutu Chache South stated that they declined to attend the meeting because there was an anticipated merger between ODM and UDA.
Is ODM planning to merge with UDA?
Speaking to TV47, Amisi claimed that the merger did not happen because there was a last-minute change of mind.
"Somebody could have twisted the agenda and thought it was not the right time to push it. Otherwise, this looks like a merger that is going to happen with some repercussions, and the merger also comes with some people facing the axe," Amisi stated.
The outspoken politician stated that if the merger proceeds, the parliamentary leadership will be reorganised.
On his side, Kibagendi outlined that he did not attend Raila-Ruto's meeting because ODM never agreed to hold joint PGs with the current government.
"You know how unpopular the current government is, and even the broad-based government is not as popular with the citizens. I thought it was not appropriate to join that PG," Kibagendi affirmed.
Amisi questions Raila-Ruto meeting
While seemingly calling out Ruto and Raila's dressing down of Members of Parliament during the meeting, Amisi questioned what the meeting's resolution was.
"What was the agenda? Was the agenda to lecture the Members of Parliament? Were there clapping, maybe a few could he heard booing Baba. But really, if you were to ask yourself after the meeting, what was the agenda in the first place? You may not find any," Amisi said.
The alleged merger between ODM and UDA has reportedly been shelved until later in the year, when the two political parties are scheduled to hold a retreat.
Did Sifuna and Babu Owino skip ODM-UDA PG?
Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, were also among ODM members who were absent from the Parliamentary Group meeting.
Source: Facebook
Sifuna had repeatedly asserted that he was not willing to work with the head of state.
However, those who attended the meeting included members of the parties formerly aligned to the Azimio coalition, including the Jubilee, Wiper, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
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The National Assembly majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah, read the attendance list.
He noted that the session was meant to ease the work of the five-member team, which was obligated with the duty of overseeing the implementation of NADCO and other reports.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
