The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has convened a crisis meeting of party bigwigs to discuss Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo with a view to mete disciplinary action.
According to a senior party official the meeting which will be chaired by Raila Amollo Odinga wants to put everything “in black and white” and resolve the internal conflicts once and for all.
When asked whether the meeting will discuss the conducts of other perceived renegades such as Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna the sources said they are not aware as top in the agenda for the meeting was to reign in or expel Orengo and then issue a statement making clear the party’s official stance on the ongoing debate over the broadbased government.
The sources said that the top party leadership was not in favor of calling a meeting right now as it had the potential of fracturing the party further but pressure from UDA Party partners has necessitated the meeting.
When he made a statement on the ever growing schisms in the party, Raila spokesman Dennis Onyango said there was need to maintain composure and civility throughout the current talks. All eyes are now on the top party organ with pundits speculating whether it was possible for Raila Amollo Odinga to sanction the expulsion from the party of his longstanding political associate, James Aggrey Bob Orengo.
The Siaya Governor is a party stalwart with the capacity to walk out with a huge chunk of membership should he be expelled.
The sources could, however, not confirm or deny allegations in the media that Orengo is opposed to the BBG arrangement not because of any democratic conviction but out of pique that for the first time he was not involved in the decision leading to the signing of a pact between Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s UDA Party and ODM Party.
Asked why Siaya legislators were more audacious in calls for Orengo impeachment the sources revealed an ongoing superiority war between the Governor and a group allied to Energy CS James Opiyo Wandayi.
The source said that the Governor messed up big when he alienated his faithful Deputy Dr. William Oduol Denge and entertained tenderpreneurs who have now turned against him.
“Orengo, as a person, is a visionary leader,” said our sources, “the problem he has to deal with is pride. If he had swallowed his pride and brought back to the table technocrats like Oduol, he would now not be contending with people like a certain MP to whom political survival is greater than service to the people.”
Our informant confided that the Siaya Governor now faces serious hurdles in his reelection bid, particularly if ODM Party were to alienate him in the upcoming crisis meeting.
“Remarks such as “I can’t sing praise” and “We battled for a democratic constitution that guarantees freedom of speech” uttered in the presence of the Head of State are perceived to be an affront or direct attack on Ruto, and I can tell you that’s one man who doesn’t take criticism kindly. Your Governor has just opened a can of worms. I know him as a tough fellow but I don’t think he’s prepared for what is coming his way.”
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