Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has reiterated support for the broadbased government despite being branded traitor by the rest of Kenya’s opposition.
Oburu who was addressing mourners at a burial in Siaya on Friday May 16 said it was ironical that the same people who had marginalized them in the Kenya Kwanza government were now asking them to ship out because they had decided to work with UDA Party.
In apparent reference to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua who launched a political party the same day, Oburu said Luo-Nyanza was now comfortable working with President Dr William Samoei Ruto under the new arrangement of broadbased government.
“When we told them, including Gachagua, that Raila was the right leader to lead this country and give shares to everybody, they refused and supported Ruto. But now, when we are also talking to the same Ruto, they are telling us to come and join them (in the opposition),” said Oburu.
“What is the assurance that they will give Raila votes in 2027? If they plan to vote for Raila as president, let them wait for us to finish working for our people, and then we can negotiate with them in 2027.”
“As for now, we are saying sorry. We are continuing, and we are in the broad-based government, and we don’t regret being there.”
Speaking at the same event the Alego-Usonga MP who was recently picked to head the Budget committee caused laughter when he said other communities should now take over chants of Ruto Must Go!
“I beseech you to desist from the Ruto Must Go chants; leave it to the people on the other side who are disgruntled that Treasury CS John Mbadi and I have taken their seats,” Atandi said.
Both Oburu and Atandi are direct beneficiaries of the broadbased arrangement having landed lucrative appointments as Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees.
Dr. Oburu Oginga heads the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, a post formerly occupied by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, a close ally of Rigathi Gachagua. Samuel Onunga Atandi heads the Budget Committee in the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, Siaya Township MCA James Obiero Otare has urged politicians from Siaya to make good of their positions in the broadbased arrangement and stop soiling the name of Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo.
“We have Wandayi as CS, a very competent person to lobby for development with the national government. We also have MP Samuel Atandi and Oburu Oginga. These are highly competent people capable of doing all the lobbying needed for Siaya at the national level. What do they want with Orengo and myself?” Otare wondered.
A clique of politicians in the broadbased government have been driving the narrative that since Governor Orengo was against lobbying for constitutional rights, he must be anti-development.
Otare said that Raila Amollo Odinga had only asked for support of government initiatives and not certain personalities in the government.
“The moment Baba says this arrangement includes wholesome support for president Ruto, I’ll do so without question. As of now I support Wandayi, Atandi and Oburu as competent representatives in the broadbased arrangement. Let them deliver whatever they want Orengo and myself to go and bring from the national government.”
Otare, who is the longest-serving legislator in the Siaya County Assembly challenged whoever hoped to take over from him to come up with practical approach to leadership and not expect that being fronted by an MP alone has ever won anyone an election!
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