On Thursday, September 22, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of betrayal and blackmail.
The vocal legislator claimed that the Raila Odinga-led outfit had sidelined youths and bonafide members by rewarding parliamentary slots to newbies.
For instance, the youthful politician alleged that he had been promised the PAC chair of the National Assembly only to be shortchanged and the slot awarded to nominated MP John Mbadi.
As such, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala implored the ODM legislator to ditch Raila Odinga’s ODM for President William Ruto-led alliance.
In a statement on Thursday, September 22, Malala, a close ally of President William Ruto used a dog analogy saying if a dog owner wants to kill the pet, he starts by soiling its name.
“If you want to kill a dog, you start by giving it a bad name. Babu Owino, welcome to Kenya Kwanza, bro,” Malala said in a Tweet.
Malala’s sentiments come after a section of youthful legislators in ODM led by Babu Owino had said they sacrificed a lot for the party over the year only to be rewarded with betrayal.
“With due respect why should Hon John Mbadi come down from the position of Majority leader to PAC chair which was reserved for me? This will not happen. Over my dead body. Young people must get their space. It is now or never,” Owino said.
Kivumbi.co.ke understands that it is not Babu alone who is protesting the sharing of ODM slots in both the Senate and the National Assembly.
ODM chairman John Mbadi had earlier protested the party’s move to demote him from the Majority leader for his Ugunja counterpart Opiyo Wundayi.
He said it was unfair to deny him the Majority leader just because he was nominated.
“I was asked to shelve my gubernatorial ambition, which I did. It will be unfair to deny the opportunity because I am nominated,” Mbadi said.
