The rupture within Raila Odinga’s ODM party over the proposed House Committee leadership line-up continues to gather new casualties, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Narok Senator Ladema Ole Kina, among many others, crying foul over what they term as betrayal and blackmail.
Over the past week, politicians allied with the party have treated Kenyans to endless drama, which culminated in a jaw-dropping climax on Friday morning, pitting the vibrant Babu Owino against his compatriot, Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma.
The chaos started when Babu, who is serving his second term as a legislator, protested his party’s decision to reportedly award ODM Chairman John Mbadi – who is a nominated MP – with the Chairmanship of the influential Public Accounts Committee, a position which the former vibrant student leader claims was promised to him by Mr Odinga himself.
“With Due respect, why should Hon John Mbadi come down from the position of majority leader to the PAC chair, which was reserved for me? This will not happen! Over my dead body! Young people must get their space. It’s now or never. He has been rewarded through Nomination,” Babu Owino tweeted on Thursday, September 22.
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina also joined in castigating ODM for giving leadership slots to new members and rallied long-term members to fight for the positions.
“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 party positions,” he noted.
Hours later, Hon. Kaluma strongly dismissed the complaints, asking Babu to be grateful for how far Mr Odinga has elevated him.
“Raila has enabled you to serve two terms as a member of parliament just for shouting tialala, tibim. What more does baba owe you?” Hon. Kaluma asked.
Angered by the scathing remark, Babu Owino issued a quick rejoinder, deflecting from the issue at hand and escalating the altercation to a personal level.
“By the way, did your Gonorrhea heal?” the former vibrant student leader fired back.
In response, Hon. Kaluma calmly answered, “The day DJ Evolve will get up”, then recalled how Babu Owino always stated that Baba Raila Odinga is never wrong in his judgement.
“Rule 1: Baba is always right
Rule 2: Baba is never wrong
Rule 3: if you forget rule 1, refer to rule 2!” he replied.
Netizens have opined that the nasty exchange goes deep to explain Mr Odinga’s dilemma next Tuesday as he meets Azimio wing of MPs.
The agenda of the meeting will be proposing names of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons for the House committees.
During the meeting, the leaders will also agree on the way forward after the Supreme Court verdict that upheld President William Ruto’s victory.
