By Hope Barbra
ODM Minority Whip in the assembly, Millie Odhiambo, has slammed any form of dream advocating for the removal of Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo.
Millie said whether it was by conjecture or a reality that there were some people who would want to have PS Omollo removed from his position, the thought should be discouraged.
“I would like to discourage our people from the thought of having Omollo removed. Perish the thought. The reason why I would like you to perish the thought is because we come from an area that has been historically marginalized for years,” she said.
Millie said the region has been marginalized by successive regimes and to have those already in positions removed would be a stab at the community.
“Luo Nyanza, Suba Nyanza and Kuria Nyanza are areas that have been historically marginalized by successive governments both in terms of positions and resources. If we actually have a son or a daughter who is in a position, I want to say that we have people like John Mbadi as Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, Opiyo Wandayi as Energy CS, and now we have PS Omollo. They are few. We are severely marginalized. We cannot afford to have those in positions removed,” she said.
She said any scheme or talks to have some people removed from the position they hold is reckless and dangerous.
“Really, that we want to think that the few we have should be removed, for what reason? I have heard people saying PS Omollo has presided over a very effective voter registration. I have not engaged PS Omollo at a personal level and I don’t know whether he does it, but I am saying for a community that has been marginalized, whatever positions we have, we need to protect,” she said.
Social media has been awash with claims of a recent meeting by a section of MPs from Homa Bay over an alleged plot to have Omollo kicked out by President William Ruto.
The meeting was meant to prevail upon President Ruto to transfer Omollo to a lesser position in the government to reduce his influence in the region.
Last year, there were protests in Kisumu, Siaya and Migori over allegations of infighting between Omollo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, with claims that she wanted the PS sacked.
The fallout between the two leaders has been over the national government projects in the county, with Omollo being credited with the projects while Wanga also claims to have lobbied the President for the projects.
Similarly, MCAs once allied to Wanga but who fell out with her have changed their loyalty to Omollo and were recently de-whipped by the Assembly.
PS Omollo’s elder brother, Mr Hesbon Omollo, was last year forced to withdraw his political ambition in the county after what he termed a plot against his younger brother.
Omollo has also come under heavy criticism from Wanga’s allies for undermining him and working with her political opponents.
