Raila Odinga asks Azimio MPs working with Kenya Kwanza to resign

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga arrives in Maanzoni Machakos County for the Parliamentary Group Meeting. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard] Azimio leader Raila Odinga has said MPs who met President William Ruto without their parties' blessings are traitors and they should resign. Addressing Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County yesterday, Raila told off the leaders for claiming they were pursuing development agenda. The ODM leader said it is Parliament that makes the national budget and the MPs should not lie to Kenyans that they are pursuing development. "Those from Azimio meeting the Kenya Kwanza regime without the permission of their party leadership are betraying the people who elected them and should resign and seek fresh mandate if they are not happy with where they are at the moment," he said. Langata MP Felix Odiwuor (Jalang'o), one of the MPs who went to State House, was roughed up and ejected out of the meeting by Raila's security. And a member of ODM has written to the party secretary General, Edward Sifuna, asking him to initiate the process of expelling seven lawmakers who visited State House. The petitioner, Eddy Gicheru wants Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Gideon Ochanda, Caroli Omondi, Elisha Odhiambo, Paul Abour, Mark Nyamita and Jalang'o expelled or deregistered as ODM members. Majority of Jubilee MPs who visited State House skipped the Azimio meeting, which was addressed by the party secretary general, Jeremiah Kioni. Mr Kioni took issue with around 30 Jubilee MPs who have decided to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration without the blessings of the party. He maintained that the decision made by the Jubilee National Delegates Conference in February last year to belong to the Azimio still remains. "Last week, we saw our party leader former President Uhuru Kenyatta security detail being withdrawn and our legislators did not even say anything about it, that is very bad of them," he said. Kioni praised two Jubilee legislators who turned up for the retreat - Lamu East MP Ruweida Oboo and Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow - terming them true soldiers of the party. The former Prime Minister reiterated that he is not interested in a handshake with the Kenya Kwanza regime. Raila told the legislators that despite his handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta none of his allies were appointed to serve in government and their reasons for coming together were for the good of the country which was on the brink of collapse at the time. The opposition leader warned that the country was being taken to the dark old days by the Kenya Kwanza regime. "Those leading Kenya Kwanza regime were in government for the last 10 years, let them not pretend that they were in opposition since it is us who were there, they have failed to deliver and are now busy looking for our allies to boost their numbers," he said The former Prime Minister explained that social and economic justice go hand in hand with electoral justice and Kenyans were not happy with what is going on and they should stand up for their rights. Raila said it was unfortunate that most Kenyans cannot afford basic needs and their is plight being weaponised for political gain by the Kenya Kwanza administration. He warned that Kenyans will soon revolt against injustices metted against them. "Kenyans are currently overtaxed by the Kenya Kwanza regime and they are demanding social and economic justice since things cannot continue going on like this, that is why we are engaging citizens across the country in public barazas," said Raila. Kalonzo sympathised with Jalang'o for making a decision that will make his constituents hostile towards him. "We are called upon to stand up now and be the buffalo soldiers, there is a lot of confusion around let us not be lied to that the economic challenges are a worldwide problem," he said. Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said a petition to create more counties is being sponsored by the government and will be brought to Parliament soon. Wamalwa noted that the proposed counties of Mount Elgon, Teso and Kuria are being pushed by Kenya Kwanza for political expediency. "President William Ruto is keen on creating Mount Elgon, Teso and Kuria counties with his eyes fixed on 2027. If the government cannot provide funds for 47 counties, where will it get funds for the three more?" he posed. He said those who worked closely with former President Uhuru Kenyatta are being targeted and cited the alleged raid on former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i's home.

Raila Odinga asks Azimio MPs working with Kenya Kwanza to resign

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Raila Odinga asks Azimio MPs working with Kenya Kwanza to resign

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