Wetangula’s Deputy Defects To ODM
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has gained significant ground after Ford Kenya deputy party leader Richard Onyoka defected to the orange team.
While being received at Chungwa House by ODM party leader Raila Odinga, Kitutu Chache Member of Parliament stated that he will run for the Kisii senatorial seat on an ODM ticket.
This comes after the legislator, who was elected on a Ford Kenya ticket, revealed that he had submitted a letter of resignation to Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula.
Onyoka explained that his political journey with the ODM party leader began many years ago, when they were both apprehended during the Moi regime.
“When Raila was being apprehended after the 1982 coup attempt, I was also apprehended. I never slept safely listening to him being walked away at night because we thought that they would finish him,” Onyonka stated.
The legislator could not hide his admiration for Raila, adding that he would only leave politics if Raila was elected president.
“This is a man I have been waiting for to become president then I can retire. We will work together with the team that is elected and we shall not defect from the party again,” he assured.
Raila, for his part, welcomed Onyonka and the other defectors, promising that the party would ensure free and credible nominations. The remarks were made by the party’s leader in response to concerns raised by various aspirants about preferred candidates.
Raila explained that he had made plans to prevent the party from losing members as a result of shambolic primaries. He revealed that the party decided on the 2020 nomination guidelines after forming a committee to investigate the party’s performance in the 2017 General Election.
“We want party members to decide on their leaders. The person they choose will be our candidate. Those who have remained will not be left behind. We shall give them other jobs.
The party’s leader urged nomination poll losers to stick with the party’s elected leaders, promising them jobs in exchange.
“We want the nominations to be friendly and not bring wrangles because if someone feels disgruntled they will move to our rival’s camp. We want those who have missed the nominations to remain at the party,” Raila stated.
