Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, has distanced himself from the falling-out in Jubilee, dismissing claims that he is behind the division in the ruling party.
In an exclusive interview on Kameme TV on Monday morning, Raila said that his party has had no role in the infighting that has rocked Jubilee Party since his political handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta three years ago.
“Mimi sijaingia Jubilee. Mimi ni kiongozi cha chama cha ODM an Jubilee ina viongozi wake. Kama wanazozana wenyewe kwa wenyew hiyo ni shida yao. [I am in Jubilee. I am the ODM leader and Jubilee has its own leaders. If they are fighting each other, that is their own problem],” said Raila.
Further, the opposition chief termed insincere Deputy President William Ruto’s deflection of Jubilee Party failures.
“I am not in government. I do not draw a salary from the government and I am not involved in government planning. They cannot attribute their failures to me,” he said.
The ODM leader said that his truce with President Kenyatta was meant to end the political heat that ensued from the 2017 presidential elections and its chief was to bring people together.
“We had many challenges. Many people were shot and others died [during the election period] and there was a time we transported 37 coffins…” said Raila explaining how talks with the Head of State begun leading to their handshake.
Raila, who is drumming up support for the Building Bridges Initiative referendum proposal, said that the law change agenda is “good for all Kenyans”, adding that it will to the economic reform and creation of jobs.
He dismissed claims by opponents of BBI referendum it will lead to a bloated wage bill.
“Wengine wanasema sisi tunaongeza mizigo lakiki sisi tunapunguza mizigo [They claim that we are burdening the public with the extra office but some of the ministers will be Members of Parliament. We are reducing the burden on the public,” the ODM leader said.
BBI detractors have been urging the public to reject the BBI referendum, claiming that it will lead to over-representation.
However, the ODM leader said that if passed BBI changes would lead to an inclusive government that will be a positive step towards ending politics based on ethnic loyalties.
