Mama Ida Odinga, the wife of opposition leader Raila Odinga on September 13 joined Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in the launch of the inaugural Skyward Express flight.
The Skyward Express flight will serve Kenyans travelling from Nairobi to Migori county and vice versa.
However, photos shared online by CS Murkomen in the company of Ida Odinga sparked mixed reactions with a section of Kenyans referring to the expulsion of ODM party members who met with President William Ruto.
Murkomen is a cabinet secretary, a member of the ruling UDA party, and a close ally of President William Ruto.
This explains why Kenyans may have conflicted opinions on the interactions between the opposition leader’s wife and the CS.
Moreover, these reactions come at the backdrop of uncertainties in Azimio la Umoja coalition’s ODM party after the renegade MPs met President Ruto on Wednesday, September 13 barely a day after they were expelled from the party.
Also Read: Skyward Express Launches Nairobi – Migori Flights
Netizens Reactions
X user Peter Koima stated that “Waziri tunataka Mama Ida pia apigwe kalamu for associating with the Government” loosely translating to “CS we want mama Ida to be expelled for associating with government.”
“Azimio and the ODM party should expel Mama Idah Odinga from the party for attending Inaugural Skyward flight in Migori together with CS Murkomen,” Simon Wandera wrote.
“What does presence of Ida signify?” Collins Madimba wrote on X
Nonetheless, some X users defended mama Ida Odinga despite a majority calling out ODM to take action.
Abala Kinyua tweeted, “Someone asked me, will Baba divorce mama Ida Odinga? I asked them, who elected mama Ida? This event was private and mama Ida went at the invitation of Akothee.”
Furthermore, Kisii senator Richard Onyonka while speaking during a media interview noted that there is no wrongdoing if Ida Odinga takes a flight with CS Murkomen.
“There is nothing wrong with Ida Odinga taking a flight with Murkomen. The fact that she went there doesn’t mean she was begging the government for anything,” the senator stated adding that some things are done for the interest of the public.
In addition, vocal lawyer Miguna Miguna also noted that Ida Odinga attended the unveiling of local flights between Migori and Nairobi by CS Murkomen, not in her capacity as a citizen of Kenya, but as the wife of Raila Odinga.
Ida Odinga among other guests
Moreover, there were other notable names who graced the Skyward launch including leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wa, Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, Sen. Eddy Oketch, EALA MP Hassan Omar, and MPs Peter Masara (Suna West).
Others are Walter Owino (Awendo), Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Tom Odege (Nyatike), KAA Chairperson Caleb Kositany, Skyward Express Chairperson Capt. Mohamed Abdi, KCAA DG Emile Arao, and Ag. KAA MD Henry Ogoye, MCAs, County and National government officials.
