ODM leaders attack Jakoyo Midiwo for being Jubilee mole
Wrangling among ODM leaders in Nyanza intensified on Saturday with a group of MPs led by Oburu Oginga accusing party chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo of being the “biggest Jubilee mole and perennial visitor of State House.”
The leaders accused Mr Midiwo of working with Jubilee administration to undermine Cord leader Raila Odinga who is his cousin.
Speaking at a burial ceremony in Chiga village, Homa Bay, Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga, Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang and MPs Oburu Oginga, John Mbadi (Suba) and Peter Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay town) said the MP was being used to paint Cord counties as failed.
“It is strange that he has in the recent past been quick to second unpopular motions tabled in the Assembly by Majority leader Aden Duale,” said Dr Oginga during the burial.
The remarks come shortly after Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga was ejected from a meeting in Yala township in Gem constituency by youths believed to be allied to Mr Midiwo.
They accused Mr Rasanga of disrespecting Mr Midiwo who has been criticising his development record.
The chaos saw police shoot in the air severally forcing Mr Rasanga to cut short his speech and whisked into his car.
Mr Midiwo has however distanced himself from the accusations saying his concerns were failure by Mr Rasanga to spur development in Siaya.
“Rasanga must accept that as a public figure he will be criticised for his incompetence, corruption and arrogance. If he cannot withstand the heat in the kitchen, he must get out,” Mr Midiwo said in a statement.
Dr Oburu a cousin to the Gem MP, claimed that Mr Midiwo is also currently being used by Jubilee to undermine parliamentary operations from the Cord side reminding the MPs who are currently sell outs that 2017 is not far.
“You can continue to dine and wine with Jubilee but you will meet the wrath of electorates come 2017,” he added.
Mr Mbadi, who is also the ODM national chairman challenged the political leadership in Luo Nyanza to refrain from constant attack and criticism of the County leadership.
“We are very saddened by the persistent wrangles in Siaya and Kisumu Counties,” said Mr Mbadi.
Mr Kaluma said: “If there are issues in the Counties, they should be discussed in boardrooms instead of using the media or public forum to tear at each other.”
Mr Mbadi cautioned his colleagues in the National Assembly against engineering wrangles at the counties.
“MPs have no business at all in engaging in wrangles at the counties. That is the work of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs),” added Mr Kaluma.
In Sunday’s meeting, Mr Rasanga is expected to test his support and meet leaders from the area. He will also seek to reassure residents of his support for development despite the chaos.
However Mr Fred Ouda, Central MCA and a supporter of Mr Rasanga said that the governor will be going to the area to pray and not address a political rally.
Mr Ouda, who last Thursday rallied youths to demonstrate against the violence on governor Rasanga, said they do not intend to use the service to politic.
“The governor is just going to pray there just like he would in any area in the county. We are peace loving people and would not like to spread any rumour of violence,” he said.
“The rumours being spread about a possible confrontation during the Sunday visit is nothing but further from the truth,” he added.
Mr Ouda, who accused Mr Midiwo of fueling the chaos, cautioned him against repeating the same in Sunday’s event.
“Midiwo will not be tolerated any more. Let him bring the youths again at his own risk,” he said.
Leaders at the burial of Mzee Washington Yongo, father to bodyguard to Dr Oburu also faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta in putting conditions before former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka can get their retirement packages.
They claimed that the conduct of the President confirm that he is vindictive and fear what is coming in 2017.
“The conduct of the president signals his fear for Mr Odinga’s candidature in 2017,” said Senator Kajwang.
-nation.co.ke
ODM leaders attack Jakoyo Midiwo for being Jubilee mole
