Funyula MP Otuoma reconciles with Raila

Cord leader Raila Odinga on Saturday reconciled with Funyula MP Paul Otuoma three months after the latter quit his post as the ODM national vice-chairman citing frustrations.

The two leaders addressed a funeral gathering in Siaya County before proceeding to a closed-door meeting at Dr Otuoma’s Funyula home last evening.

Dr Otuoma and former ODM secretary-general Ababu Namwamba dramatically announced their resignation from their positions and threatened to lead a rebellion against the Orange party in western Kenya.

Mr Namwamba has since moved to the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK).

Dr Otuoma’s decision to return to the ODM fold is a blow to Mr Namwamba whose close allies had indicated that the Funyula MP was among several MPs who would defend their seats on an LPK ticket.

Mr Namwamba’s other ally from ODM, Sirisia MP John Waluke, also abandoned him and joined the new Jubilee Party.

Mr Odinga, who spoke to mourners at the funeral of Kenyan football legend James Siang’a, also assured Dr Otuoma that his seat of party vice-chairman was still reserved for him.

“I am happy to see Dr Otuoma once again, because he is my brother for a long time. We have shared a lot and I have welcomed him back to the party,” said a jovial Mr Odinga.

He maintained that Dr Otuoma had never left the party as thought by many.

He asked those who thought that he (Otuoma) had left the party to wake up from their slumber.

Mr Odinga added that each and every member of ODM must play their part in ensuring that the party delivers Kenyans to the Promised Land.

He said that they have addressed the issues Dr Otuoma had complained about while relinquishing his seat as vice-chairman.

Mr Odinga said ODM was fully committed to delivering Kenyans from bondage.

“ODM stands for equality and justice, we should ensure that we work as a team in order to succeed in the coming General Election. We can only achieve this if we work together by including all the members,” said Mr Odinga.  

Dr Otuoma maintained that he had not left the party and does not intend to leave, maintaining that he had just resigned as the party’s vice-chairman.

He declared that he is in ODM to stay as he was among the party’s founder members.

“I never left ODM, those thinking that I left the party should stop celebrating. How can I leave ODM for a lesser party?” posed Dr Otuoma.

He maintained that Mr Odinga was his political mentor and he would therefore not dare to desert him.

Dr Otuoma also challenged those who had quit ODM to resign and defend their seats on the tickets of their new found parties if they believed in their actions.