Raila accuses government of buying out Opposition members

CORD leader Raila Odinga addresses Opposition supporters at Butula in Busia. [Photo: Benjamin Sakwa]

Busia: CORD leader Raila Odinga has accused the Government of hatching schemes to weaken the Opposition by compromising its members.

Raila made the allegations Monday during a tour of Busia County, where ODM MPs have rebelled against the party protesting at being sidelined.

The ODM leader said he was aware that Jubilee was paying their members to frustrate the Opposition ahead of the 2017 General Election.

“The Jubilee coalition is auctioning our Opposition members by buying them in Nairobi in order to gain support in Western region. We are aware of this but they should be ready for defeat in 2017,” said Raila.

Jubilee has recently stepped up their vote-hunt in Opposition strongholds in Western, Coast and Eastern regions.

Deputy President William Ruto has, however, told Opposition leaders to stop making wild claims because they have panicked as supporters switch loyalties.

“The time of slave trade, when people used to be bought, is history and it is unrealistic for someone to relate the same to today’s politics. Changing one’s allegiance or alliance is normal and should not be viewed as a result of compromise or inducement. Political realignment is accepted all over the world and we must embrace it as well,” Ruto has said.

Last week, nine ODM MPs from western Kenya led by party Secretary General Ababu Namwamba and Vice Chairman Paul Otuoma claimed that the region’s leaders were not being treated as equal partners in the party.

But addressing a rally in Busia town yesterday, Raila said CORD would not be shaken by Jubilee’s tactics, and vowed that they would win the 2017 elections.

Raila was at the homecoming of Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua – following her incarceration over alleged hate speech – in Butula. He later addressed a rally in Busia town.

Conspicuously absent at the rally were Namwamba, Otuoma and Busia Senator Amos Wako, who have raised concerns over ODM leadership.

When contacted, Mr Namwamba said he was invited for the event in Busia County by Raila himself.

“Party leader Raila Odinga invited me himself. Unfortunately, I had other engagements and I could not attend,” he explained.

In an interview with KTN on Sunday night, the Budalang’i MP accused forces within ODM opposed to reforms that he was pushing as secretary general, including competitive primaries, of working for his downfall.

Otuoma said he had personally talked to Raila over the matter. “I talked with Raila and we agreed to meet this week to iron things out,” he said.

Otuoma, however, said it was premature for the CORD team to go to the backyard of MPs who had complained of being sidelined in the coalition.

“Why go to the ground when the issues that were raised are yet to be addressed?” asked Otuoma.

When asked whether he was invited, the Funyula MP just responded: “They have their own ways of doing things.”

Raila said the concerns would be resolved amicably, and insisted that Namwamba was still the bona fide secretary general and member of ODM.

The former prime minister accused Jubilee of trying to take the country back to the days of intimidation, threats and unlawful arrests.

“Jubilee should stop using intimidation and threats. CORD will ensure Kenyans have freedom to express themselves,” said Raila.

He accused the Government of overseeing an economic crisis, saying the Jubilee administration had caused inflation and price hikes of essential commodities.

But Raila’s allies spoke out harshly about the dissenters.

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’ said they would reconstitute ODM to replace members whom he claimed had been bought by Government.

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed also claimed Jubilee was buying leaders to weaken the Opposition.

He claimed every Friday, politicians from different regions lined up to be paid money to support Jubilee.

Kilifi Woman Representative Aisha Jumwa claimed Kenyans were tired of the Jubilee administration and maintained that even if the ruling coalition bought its supporters, CORD would still win the 2017 polls.

Siaya Senator James Orengo said Jubilee was thriving on corruption, and expressed confidence that Raila would win the presidency.

Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire said Opposition leaders would not be intimidated by threats from Government. Other leaders who accompanied Raila were MPs Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Godfrey Odanga (Matayos), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay County), Rachel Ameso (Kakamega County) and Anami Lisamula (Shinyalu).