Leaders criticise Obado over 'crocodile' remark

A section of leaders has criticised the dalliance of Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Deputy President William Ruto.

The leaders have accused Mr Obado of making allusions to a matter before court and warned that this could “cost him his freedom.”

On Sunday, some Nyanza ODM leaders were angered by what they termed as ‘careless remarks’ by Mr Obado.

PRAYERS

Mr Obado has lately been accompanying Mr Ruto in political functions in South Nyanza region.

On Saturday, the Migori County chief asked Christians across the country to pray for him.

Speaking during a funds drive in Nyabururu Catholic Parish in Kisii County, Mr Obado, who had accompanied the Deputy President, said the prayers would help remove him “from the a crocodile’s mouth”.

MURDER

“If you pray for me, I will get out of the crocodile’s mouth,” he said.

 The ODM leaders say such statements could lead to the cancellation of Mr Obado’s bond terms.

The Migori County boss, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Sharon Otieno, is out on a Sh5 million bond.

PROSECUTORS

Suna East MP and ODM Director of elections Junet Mohamed said Mr Obado was trying to subvert the case before him through politics.

“By saying that he has been thrown into a crocodile’s mouth, who is he referring to? The investigators? The prosecution?” wondered Mr Mohamed.

“He doesn’t look like someone who has a case before a court of law,” said Mr Mohamed.

OVERREACHING

ODM National Treasurer and former Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire said that Mr Obado’s remarks in Kisii and Nyamira were overreaching.

In Nyamira, Mr Obado accompanied the DP during the launch of the Kemera-Kiendege-Eberege-Gachuba-Keumbu road.

Mr Bosire said Mr Obado had a very important matter which he should first handle.

CONTEXT

Mr Bosire said that as an ODM party member, Mr Obado should tackle political issues that might be troubling him.

Kisii Woman Rep Janet Ongera said ODM leader Raila Odinga's ‘crocodile phrase’ was being taken out of context.

On Sunday, Mr Obado joined DP Ruto during Dr Wahome Gakuru Memorial Half Marathon to raise awareness on road safety and emergency response, Nyeri County.

FANATICAL

Political observers say that the DP is keen to use this friendship with Mr Obado to raid the political bedrock of opposition chief Mr Odinga.

The political cold war between ODM and Mr Obado is seen to have fuelled the DP's moves into the region in which Mr Odinga enjoys a fanatical following.

Mr Obado's woes with ODM were ignited when he opposed the party's move to offer Mr Ochillo Ayacko a direct nomination ticket in the recent senate by-election.

ACTIVIST

Mr Obado supported Mr Eddy Gicheru Oketch of Federal Party of Kenya.

"Our political leader is Raila Odinga and our party is ODM. If you come here with (Mr) Ruto then it means you embrace another party we don't know. We can only come to Migori if Raila is coming or if President Uhuru Kenyatta, comes but not people like Ruto and Obado, " said Mr Mohamed.

Mr George Olumwa, a political activist allied to Mr Obado, defended the Ruto-Obado friendship.

FRIENDS

"Governor Obado and DP Ruto have been friends, If ODM has sensed the shifting political tectonics in Kenya and wants space in Ruto's future they should knock in peace," said Mr Olumwa.

 Kuria East MP Marwa Maisori Kitayama dismissed those criticising the DP's forays in Migori. "The DP has the right to work with anyone he wants. If he has chosen to work with Mr Obado, so be it. The DP wants to bring development to the people of Migori.” said Mr Kitayama.