Cord politicians want rebels kicked out of ODM

Cord leader Raila Odinga (left), Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo (second left), Siaya Senator James Orengo and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama (right) chat during the burial of Nominated MCA Grace Chihanga in Kilifi County. PHOTO | Kazungu SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ababu Namwamba, Gideon Mung’aro, Mustafa Iddi, Khatib Mwashetani, Masoud Mwahima and Zainab Chidzuga among rebels mentioned.

  • The Cord politicians accused the ODM Secretariat of laxity in dealing with rebels, thereby giving them leeway to undermine the party.

  • Mr Muthama told Coastal residents to vote out elected leaders campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.

Several Cord politicians have asked their party leader Raila Odinga to expel rebel members who are rocking the party from within.

The leaders told Mr Odinga that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top brass must act swiftly against elected members who have allied themselves with Jubilee coalition.

Senators James Orengo (Siaya County), Johnson Muthama (Machakos County), Steward Madzayo (Kilifi), Governor Amason Kingi (Kilifi County) women representatives Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi County), Mishi Mboko (Mombasa County) and deputy governors Hazel Katana (Mombasa County) and Mwakombo Kamto (Kilifi County) challenged the rebels to resign from party and seek fresh mandate on a Jubilee ticket.

Rebel lawmakers targeted by the Cord coalition politicians include Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, Kilifi MP Gideon Mung’aro, Kilifi South MP Mustafa Iddi, Lungalunga MP Khatib Mwashetani, Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima and Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga.

The Cord politicians accused the ODM Secretariat of laxity in dealing with rebels, thereby giving them leeway to undermine the party.

Mr Muthama told Coastal residents to vote out elected leaders campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.

“These are leaders who want you to continue being at the tail and helping others to ascend to power,” the Machakos Senator said.

 Ms Jumwa scoffed at the appointment of former MPs Katana Ngala and Kazungu Kambi who were appointed on Friday by Mr Kenyatta, saying it was a plan to Coast region.

They said the party cannot afford to approach the General Election with renegades who have resolved to work against its policies and agenda.

 “As our leader, we are asking you to direct the Secretariat to decide the fate of those who have decided to go against us and work with our enemy,” said Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi Saturday during the burial of nominated MCA Grace Mbodza Chihanga.

 In his speech to the mourners, Mr Odinga urged Coastal residents to remain firm in Cord saying it is the party to beat in 2017.

Mr Odinga, who was addressing residents at a stopover at Pwani University College on his way to the funeral, said the Jubilee leadership has failed to deliver it election promises and its only now they are scrambling to be seen to be doing something.

“It (Jubilee) is only good at borrowing huge sums of money from foreign governments which end up in individuals’ pockets with taxpayers left to pay a monthly debt of Sh85,000  until end they die,” Mr Odinga said.

Mr Odinga said the Jubilee has no development agenda for the country when compared with the Grand Coalition government he shared with former President Mwai Kibaki.

Mr Odinga said the Opposition would take part in dialogue with Jubilee to reform the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“I urge you to register as voters and (be) ready to send them home. But first we must ensure there is level political ground before the next election. We need to have an impartial referee who will not help Jubilee to rig elections,” the cord leader added.

(Editing Joel Muinde)