Azimio party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, February 9, explained his sudden contempt towards leaders elected under the ODM party ticket meeting President William Ruto.
Speaking during the Azimio Parliamentary group meeting in Machakos, Raila explained that, initially when he allowed his allies to meet the Head of State, he was not privy to the ‘truth’ about his victory in the August election.
He, however, changed his mind following the findings of the whistleblower that the August General Election had panned out in his favour.
“They are saying that Baba had allowed people to go and meet with the President. Now, he is saying that he does not recognise the President.
“I never said that I recognise him even at that time but that was before the whistleblower came out with glaring evidence of the rigging of elections,” he explained.
Raila declared the nine Members of Parliament (MPs), including Langata’s Phelix ‘Jalang’o’ Odiwuor, as defiant for working with the enemy despite the new findings.
“If you want to meet him on a personal note, go. But if you want to talk with him about issues that affect the party, then you must ask for permission.
“These people must be seen for what they are; traitors in the course of a revolution,” the former Premier remarked while calling for the nine to resign from the party.
Odinga responded to claims after a section of politicians called him out for ill-treating the nine for doing what several ODM and Azimio elected leaders did.
Former Narc-Kenya candidate for Nyeri Senator Kabando wa Kabando accused Odinga of double standards in his demands for ODM lawmakers to ask for permission before engaging Ruto.
“In 2018, Raila secretly met former President Uhuru at Harambee House, which birthed a handshake. In 2023, Nyanza region governors and MPs met Ruto at Kisumu State House. Why did he approve these visits then?” he posed.
Meanwhile, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna confirmed that he had received a formal request to deregister the nine from the party and would kickstart the process of reviewing the same.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE