Karachuonyo MP to ditch ODM due to 'lack of democracy'

Karachuonyo MP James Rege

Karachuonyo MP James Rege has quit the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) for Jubilee.

The legislator said he was fed up with the Orange party as it had failed to uphold internal democracy.

"I have resolved to cross over to Jubilee Alliance and I have no regret over the decision," he said.

Mr Rege said the law allowed him to associate with a political group of his choice. The lawmaker added that he will soon make a public pronouncement to clear the air of "any political doubt".

Rege follows in the footsteps of Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba and his Funyula counterpart Paul Otuoma who quit as ODM secretary general and vice chairman respectively.

Rege now joins a growing list of ODM rebels who have disclosed intent to quit the party. Wednesday, ODM Chairman John Mbadi wondered why Rege was rocking the boat from within.

"What is the point of talking about ODM when you have decided to decamp to another party?" Mr Mbadi posed. But Rege argued ODM must sanitise its operations. The Karachuonyo MP has in the past two years been avoiding ODM political activities in Nyanza.

Instead, he has been concentrating more on development projects funded by his constituency office. Last week, Rege warned that ODM party leader Raila Odinga's close allies could disintegrate the party ahead of 2017.