Balala: Raila has betrayed me

By Moses Njagih

A bitter-speaking Mvita MP Najib Balala has termed as betrayal his sacking as Tourism Minister and lashed out at Prime Minister Raila Odinga, terming him "a dictator that Kenyans do not deserve as their next President".

Balala said that he was sacked by Raila for exercising his independence of mind and standing by his principles, including speaking against lack of democracy within the ODM party.

He said that he was relieved off his duties for challenging Raila’s leadership and questioning the rule of democracy within the party, just as it has happened to many other former ODM leaders who exercised their independence of mind.

Balala said he does not regret the sacking as it was occasioned by his standing for his principles, adding that it was better for him to be relieved off duties than be a sycophant of the PM.

"Sycophancy is a mediocre leadership. It does not have any space in the Kenya that we are in. At least I know that when you stand by the truth, you get people to stand by you," said Balala during a press conference at his Kileleshwa home in Nairobi.

Balala termed his sacking as a betrayal to the Muslim community, with whom Raila had a pre-election Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said that he facilitated the signing of the MoU between Muslims and Raila, prompting the leaders of his faith to prevail upon him to sacrifice his presidential ambition in 2007 and support the PM.

The Mvita MP said it was the MoU that became the rallying call on Muslims to support Raila’s candidature.

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