Raila Odinga Dismisses Defectors,Asks Them To Resign

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dismissed the Members of Parliament under his party,Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ,who recently paid a visit to President William Ruto at the State House, labelling them as party traitors who should resign from the party.

“These people must be seen for what are – traitors in the course of a revolution. We are in a cause of very serious issue,” Raila said.

Raila made the remarks while speaking during the Azimio Parliamentary Group treat in Machakos on February 9, 2023,as he refuted claims that the dissident MPs were meeting the president in search for development projects for their constituencies,saying that with the new constitution, the Government is mandated to serve all parts of Kenya in equal measures.

Raila further explained that under the new constitution opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have no business begging the Government for development projects in their constituencies since the constitution guarantees them funds for development.

“We see new dangerous phenomenon developing that Members of Parliament are approaching the Executive supposedly for development in their constituencies.”

“Under our current constitutional dispensation, the resources are being actually allocated by Parliament. The Executive comes with the budget proposal to Parliament, Parliament looks at that budget proposals and then agrees on how to allocate resources,” Raila said.

The ODM party leader went on to emphasize on why what some of the azimio lawmakers claim to be doing to justify them meeting up with the president ,is a thing of the past.

“So the days when Members of Parliament used to go and as see mtukufu rais Nyayo ati ulituhadia sisi utaleta mradi wa maji hapa, utajenga low cost housing sijui hapa, barabara hii itatengenezwa… kwenda piga magoti chini kwa rais alete maendeleo imekwisha. That era is gone,” he said.

Raila has however affirmed that all ODM leaders looking forward to have talks with the president on matters affecting the party,must be consented by the party.

“If you want to go and see Mr President as a personal project in State House go. But if you want to go and talk about issues that affect the party then you must be given permission by the party before you go to see the president.” Noted Raila.

This comes after a list of opposition lawmakers from Nyanza met Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua at State House on February 7, 2023.

The MPs are Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.