Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein has urged ODM members to exercise restraint and caution in their public statements, warning that escalating verbal clashes threaten the party’s survival.
Speaking in Hagadera, Fafi subcounty, on Tuesday, he said the party risks weakening itself at a time when it is still adjusting to the vacuum left by the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga. Raila died last month while undergoing treatment in India.
Hussein was the only MP elected through the ODM ticket in the last general election in Garissa county.
He regrettable that the cracks are emerging when the party should be celebrating 20 years since its formation.
“ODM is my party, from which I was elected. I love it so much. But the latest developments have left me a very disappointed man. Since our party leader died, things have not been the same again,” the legislator said.
“I want to sincerely express my concern over the growing trend of leaders trading harsh words and issuing conflicting pronouncements on behalf of the party.”
“The recent developments that have been marked by internal disagreements and public spats are completely unnecessary. They could easily cause damage to this party that is loved by many Kenyans,” he added.
What began as a commemoration of the party’s 20-year journey since its inception has quickly turned into a storm, with several leaders expressing their different opinions on the direction the party should take publicly.
At the centre of it all is the whether the party should embrace President William Ruto’s broad-based government or not.
Among them is the new party leader, Oburu Oginga, who has sharply differed with Siaya Governor James Orengo on the direction the party should take.
Others are deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir, Godfrey Osotsi, Simba Arati, CSs Hassan Joho, John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi and MPs Junet Mohamed, Ruth Odinga and Babu Owino, among others.
But according to Hussein, while ODM is a democratic party that allows for members to express their opinions openly, the leaders should exercise restraint and be measured in their utterances.
“I want to sound a warning to some of our party members who are deliberately sowing seeds of division and attempting to fracture the party. If such behaviour goes unchecked, the damage could be irreversible,” he said.
The legislator emphasised that ODM’s strength has always stemmed from its unity and coordinated messaging, calling on the current party leaders and members to borrow a leaf from Raila, whom he said was always measured in his moves and utterances.
He urged Oburu to take firm charge of the party and ensure it stays intact and prevents disintegration.
“I have a word for our new party leader. He should stay firm, focused, and if need be, exercise some dictatorship to keep the party intact and drive it forward. He needs to rise up to the occasion and show true leadership,” Hussein said.
The MP reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to the broad-based government, insisting the party remains firmly in place and focused on contributing positively to the country’s governance, dismissing those calling on the party to sever ties with the ruling party UDA.
