By Anderson Ojwang
The brewing turbulence in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over working with the Kenya Kwanza government erupted publicly at a funeral in Uyoma. Siaya county where the party’s top leadership differed openly.
At the burial of Kenya National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mrs. Roseline Doreen Odhiambo Odede, the chairman, secretary general and Siaya Governor read from different scripts in front of the immediate former party leader Raail Odinga and the interim party leader Prof Anyang Nyong’o
The national Chairperson Gladys Wanga told the mourners that the party was rightfully working with the government and that they would not engage in street demonstrations and demonise the government ‘
“jakom, a time like this last year, we were on the streets protesting for a better Kenya but we were told that we are destroying the country’s economy and that we should desist from demos.
They wondered and asked why we were ever protesting. Now they are asking why Raila is quite, they are asking why Wanga is silent.
I want to tell them, we are not going to the streets. We are not going for any demos, We are not going to talk. Jakom remain quite.
We did our part. I even challenged the police to shoot me those days. Where were they? Our people were killed then and they kept their silence.
Let them go to the streets. Let them pick from where we left off. We cannot afford to be a protesting community all the time.
This time as a community, we are not going to the streets. We are supporting the government of the day to deliver on its mandate.
We will support the leader who wants to unite Kenya and distribute the national cake equitably.
It is time we concentrated on development and tap into the opportunities the government is bringing on our way. We have been marginalized for a long time,” she said.
The Secretary-General Mr. Edwin Sifuna told Raila that all was not well and that when he criticised the government he was told that he was destroying Raila’s votes for the African Union chairperson seat.
“I want to say here, that when some of our members are busy drinking milk in the government but do not want us to point out the bad things in the government. As your secretary general , I will not hesitate to point out the wrongs in the government.
I will ensure that the party remains to the ideals that it was founded on and I will follow the guidelines you gave to me.
Let those who are enjoying honey from the government do so on their own accord but as a party I will not hesitate to point out the ills.
This party is a beacon of hope for the people and must fight for them. As the secretary-general of your party, if you go to AUC and whether you win or lose, I will hand the party back to you intact, just as you gave it to me. There are people telling me not to speak out about the excesses of this government because I am interfering with your bid,” he said.
Siaya Governor James Orengo said it was wrong for ODM to compromise its ideals for cheap gains that would be dangerous at the end of the game.
“On my part, I want my conscience to be clear. I want to say no to abduction. Again, I want to say there is too much sycophancy in the party at the moment.
I, James Orengo, the stone, Nyawawa, fear nothing. I want to say the luo as community must not lose the identity they are known for. We have identity that we are known for.
If we make compromises, they should be justified before God. We cannot suspend the Constitution. We may be happy now but in future may regret it.
I pray for ODM you can stand any storm. If you make compromises it should be based on principle and not praise and worship. We must stand firm and leave by constitution,” he said.
But Raila and Nyong’o who spoke last veered off from commenting on the thorny issue and instead eulogized the deceased for her human right achievements.
Raila said the abductions must come to an end and as a party will not fail to point out the wrong in the government.
Recently, Nyong’o denied there was a near fisticuff as was reported in the section of the media terming the report as a creation of the opponent of the party.
President William Ruto and Raila are currently working together and this has birthed the broad-based government which saw top ODM leaders appointed to the cabinet and some given other government appointments.
Internal Security permanent Secretary Dr Raymond Omolo asked the community to support the government of the day as it had initiated several projects in the country.
“We must thank Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, we should emulate him. Let us support the government of the day. We have rolled out several projects in the region and nationally. Let’s work with the government,” he said.
