A major rift has erupted in Opposition Chief Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement with allies trading accusations and counter accusations.
This even as Raila faces a political nightmare from rebels who are working with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.
After months of simmering tensions, a war has exploded between ODM chairman John Mbadi and his successor at the National Assembly Minority Leadership Opiyo Wandayi.
Their fights could threaten the synergy required in ODM to push through Raila’s anti-Ruto protests at the grassroots and point to a possible fresh and expanded mutiny.
Wandayi accused Mbadi of “condescending attitude towards Raila and the ODM party,” claiming that the party chairman has been on a character assassination campaign against him and the party.
“Mbadi is thoroughly conflicted. It is difficult to serve two masters. He must choose to serve either Ruto or Raila, not both,” Wandayi told the Nation.
The Ugunja MP who also serves as the ODM director of political affairs claimed that Mbadi is the one engineering rebellion within the party despite the fact that Raila is at a critical point where he needs unity of purpose.
“At a time when our movement requires unity of purpose, Mbadi is busy creating division by driving an endless narrative in the media, in cahoots with our opponents in Kenya Kwanza, aimed at discrediting the minority leadership in Parliament,” Wandayi added.
“His inept and lethargic chairmanship of ODM has created a huge vacuum that’s being exploited by our enemies.”
However, Mbadi fired back at Wandayi affirming that his voice is part of a bigger group in the minority side that is uncomfortable with the Ugunja MP’s style of leadership.
“Wandayi is the minority leader and the one we need to tell when things are not going the right way. He took that responsibility knowing that he should lead us and so when we feel we are not being led properly we must come out and speak,” Mbadi told the Nation.
Mbadi defended his participation in the Azimio crusade and why he has been missing in action during the opposition protests.
“We have had enough fights in Azimio. These same leaders and their close allies even pushed me to the grassroots, they wanted to shine at the national level during the campaigns but on this, they have no option but to deliver on their roles because it’s not just a question of earning huge perks and doing nothing,” Mbadi charged.
The former minority leader accused his opponents of staging attacks on him through hired goons during recent ODM meetings.
“When they sent goons to attack me, that’s when I threatened to resign as ODM chairman,” Mbadi asserted.
However, Wandayi laughed off the claims, questioning Mbadi’s commitment to Azimio protests against Ruto.
“As our gallant youth endure police bullets and tear gas, the party chairman happily follows the developments on television as he sips tea with our opponents from the comfort of Parliament,” Mbadi claimed.
The latest war pitting Raila’s close allies and members of the inner circle could puncture his crusade against Ruto at a time when his protests are gaining momentum. BY THE STAR