Tension is brewing inside former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party over house leadership slots.
Positions in the Senate and the National Assembly such as Majority leader, Minority leader and the deputies, Majority and Minority whip and their deputies are some of the most coveted slots.
Apart from coming with additional perks, the slots also have an influence on government Bills and policies which are some of the reasons driving members to strive to get into top party leadership positions.
Raila’s camp is said to be awarding these slots to seasoned politicians who are closer to the former Presidential candidate in the just-ended General Election.
This has seen a section of youthful legislators decry what they term ‘mistreatment’.
Led by Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili commonly known as Babu Owino, the youthful politicians say they sacrificed a lot in terms of their resources for the party in the August 9, elections only to be paid for by betrayal and blackmail.
“ODM party, so many youth and myself sacrificed a lot and used our resources in the party over the years, our pay is betrayal and blackmail. It is okay. Tomorrow is another day,” MP Babu Owino said.
Owino’s sentiments were corroborated by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina who said it was bad for the party to reward party members with a lion’s share when their input was minimal.
“It’s about time we demand what is ours. Enough of always being kept in arms’ way while others chill in their cribs and are rewarded with the lion’s share of the party positions,” Ole Kina said.
Their cry comes just a day after ODM Chairman John Mbadi wrote to the party protesting the dishing out of the majority leader to Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.
“I am not comfortable with this decision, the stature of the ODM chairman position must be respected,” Mbadi said.
Kivumbi.co.ke is aware that Raila’s party is set to retreat on Friday, September 23, to iron out the disagreements concerning the house leadership.
