ODM party is one of the parties that are considered as the change movement. Its leader Raila Odinga is known for his liberation credentials. The doyen of change,avoice of voiceless are among many platitudes coined in his praise.
Nobody can talk of Kenyan liberation without talking about Raila due to his pivotal role.
However, since handshake and the dubious Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), Raila and ODM party have been making some bizarre moves that makes Kenyans skeptical about him. Since shaking hands with President Kenyatta, Raila has been silent on injustices in the government compared to before the handshake.
Raila has not been talking about corruption in government compared to before. It was Raila who exposed Ann Waiguru and the NYS scandal. Last year after being impeached by the Kirinyaga county assembly, it was Raila and his allies who made the move to protect her.
When Wetangula failed to embrace handshake during its neonate period, he was ousted senate minority leader. He was later replaced by SC James Orengo.
ODM Party gave a chance to its members to apply for the position of being party’s flagbearer. The statement issued by chair of the party’s Elections Board Catherine Mumma showed that Raila had beaten the deadline.
Later, an eerie statement signed by the party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna stated that Raila did not apply for the presidential ticket. It stated that only Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho sent their application.
Having portrayed itself as the biggest change movement in the land, ODM would have proceeded with the two applicants who submitted their papers. Instead they extended their deadline to allow Raila to apply. ODM through its SG resorted to comedy to explain such a matter of importance.
When Rarieda MP OtiendeAmollo gave his legal view about some issues on BBI, he was kicked out as the Vice Chair of National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs committee (JLAC) less than a year after he assumed the office. ODM party was not comfortable with his stance on the BBI.
“The Vicissitudes of politics. So, the schemers want me out of JLAC. I will take it in grace and stride,” tweeted Otiende Amollo after being kicked out of JLAC.
Last year Suna East MP Junet Mohammed vowed to be loyal to Raila so that he doesn’t end up like others who have been ousted from their positions.
“As for Duale, when you see us following Baba like cows, it is because we fear the consequences like what you are facing,” Junet told Duale after being ousted as National Assembly Majority leader last year.
With resent moves, ODM’s democratic credentials are now questionable. Democratic party should first consider the concerns of the people than its self-interest. It is now plausible that anyone who dare to talk against ODM party is punished.
