Raila finally breaks silence after the defection of Jalang’o and other ODM leaders to UDA
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has recently been faced with the news of nine of its legislators defecting to President William Ruto’s side.
The news reportedly came after eight ODM MPs and an independent lawmaker convened at State House, pledging their support to the ruling government and assuring President Ruto that they would not attend ODM rallies.
The defection has sparked reactions within the ODM, with party members and supporters expressing their disappointment and concern about its impact on the party.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, February 7, Raila Odinga theough the ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale affirmed that the party was yet to receive an official report but pointed out that the politicians ought to be guided by the Azimio coalition, which helped them clinch seats in the 2022 General Election.
Etale also warned errant ODM members to quit if they felt dissatisfied with the day-to-day operations of the opposition.
“If the reports are true as alleged, let their conscience guide them. They were elected on Azimio tickets and should receive instructions from the coalition.
“If they believe that ODM is not sufficient for them, they should quit and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA),” he stated.
Etale added that no disciplinary action would be taken until the reports were confirmed. He noted that Jalang’o was in the party’s series of meetings during the weekend, and he couldn’t comprehend why he may have changed his mind if the reports were true as alleged.
The impact of this defection will likely be felt in the upcoming elections as the ODM tries to maintain its influence and support among voters. The loss of these legislators could also hurt the ODM’s efforts to secure key positions in government, such as those in the National Assembly and Senate. The defection of these politicians may also cause division within the ODM, with some members potentially following suit and leaving the party.
