Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino has decried betrayal in opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ODM party.
In a statement on Thursday, September 22, Babu described the orange party as ungrateful to its footsoldiers who were not only loyal but heavily invested in it.
However, the MP ruled out quitting the party but called for better treatment of the youth in future engagements.
“ODM Party, so many youth and myself sacrificed a lot and used our resources in the party over the years, our pay is betrayal and blackmail. It is fine. Tomorrow is another day,” he lamented.
Owino’s rant came as ODM, an affiliate member of the Azimio coalition party, nominated its leaders to the National Assembly and the Senate.
Despite being at the forefront of the Azimio flagbearer’s campaign and fiercely throwing jabs at rival camp Kenya Kwanza, Babu missed out on all positions he could hold in parliament.
Among the slots include, the Leader of the Majority in Parliament, the Deputy Leader of Majority, the Majority Whip or Deputy Majority Whip which were awarded to Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, Kathiani lawmaker Robert Mbui, Suna East’s Junet Mohamed and Nominated MP Sabina Chege respectively.
The two-time legislator’s sentiments were echoed by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina who protested how new entrants of the party reaped the benefits of their hard work that earned its majority in parliament (among Azimio parties)
“It’s about time we demand what is ours. Enough of always being kept in arm’s way while others chill in their cribs and are rewarded with the lion’s share of party positions,” Ole Kina stated.
The Senator reached out to Babu seeking to have a sit down to contemplate their political future.
ODM Chairman and nominated MP John Mbadi was also a casualty of the parliamentary leadership debacle in ODM. On September 21, he publicly questioned the party’s decision to pick Wandayi, his junior, over him to spearhead its agenda in the N.A.
“Someone must explain to me why I am being bypassed and Wandayi is supposed to be the leader and yet I’m the chairman. Unless it’s a vote of no confidence on the position of the chair.
“How then would have Wandayi, who is my junior, lead me in the national assembly? It does not make sense unless I surrender the position of chairmanship,” Mbadi posed.
Following the disquiet in his party, Raila convened a crisis meeting to seal the cracks emerging in his party. Among the cards, he will use to appease discontented members is offering them positions in Parliamentary Committees.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
