The ODM party is in shambles as close allies of Raila Odinga disagree over the legality of the constitution amendment bill.
Top leadership in the party is not reading from the same page over the legality of the 70 constituencies that are set to be introduced through the BBI bill.
This division has led to the formation of two pacts within the ODM party; one is led by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Rariea MP Otiende Amollo, with the other one being led by ODM chairman John Mbadi and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.
Orengo’s team questioned the legality of the amendment bill, calling for a revision on the draft while the opponents want the bill to be passed as it is.
Junet Mohammed has called out Orengo for flip-flopping, saying he was those who wrote the final BBI draft, hence should not oppose his own work.
Junet and Mbadi echo the sentiments of their party leader, Raila Odinga who wants the bill to be passed by both the Senate and National Assembly in order to protect the handshake between him and President Uhuru.
Due to their divergent opinion on the BBI, Orengo’s team has been accused of sabotaging the party so as to dim Raila’s influence and take over as the Nyanza region kingpin.
However, Orengo has denied the claims saying that they are all under the leadership of the Former Prime Minister.
“I want to state without any fear that we are all under the leadership of Raila Odinga. It should be understood that there is no one else who can be compared to him politically,” Orengo told mourners during Mama Keziah Obama’s burial in Kogelo.
Before the BBI bill division, ODM deputy party leader Wycliff Oparanya had raised eyebrows after declaring his intention to contest for the presidential ticket ahead of 2022 General Election.
The Kakamega Governor pleaded with Raila to support his ambitions, saying that he had supported him for a long time and it was time for him to rally behind him.
“I have campaigned for Raila every time he vies, I have helped him get alot of votes especially here in Kakamega. It’s now time for him to return the favour and back me as his firstborn. If I get his support, I will beat Ruto in the morning,” said Oparanya.
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is also on a path to compete with Raila for the presidential ticket.
Joho, who rendered his nomination papers to ODM is also on another mission to form a political party for the coastal Kenya region.
Together with Kilifi’s Amason Kingi, the second-term Governor is seeking independence for the region which has for a long time been an ODM stronghold.
