A Member of Parliament from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has revealed intentions to impeach President William Ruto.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi disclosed this plan, explaining that ODM-affiliated MPs opposed impeaching former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on the grounds that they aimed to target both President Ruto and his deputy simultaneously.
ODM played a key role in impeaching the former DP as the majority of members voted yes to the impeachment motion in both the National Assembly and Senate.
However, Amisi mentioned that Azimio la umoja leader Raila Odinga who also doubles up as the ODM leader had advised them to focus on Gachagua’s impeachment first before pursuing Ruto.
The lawmaker acknowledged that impeaching both Ruto and Gachagua would be a challenging endeavor.
“I was one of the members who voted yes in the Gachagua impeachment motion. I went and asked Baba (Raila Odinga), why are we meddling with other people’s fights, yet we wanted to send them all home? Baba then replied, now because you wanted to send them all home and a chance has arisen to send one home, why don’t you deal with him first then deal with the other?” said Amisi.
Amisi also apologized to his constituents for supporting the Gachagua impeachment, explaining that it was a directive from Odinga.
ODM Members downplay intentions to join government
The lawmaker’s sentiments matched those of other members of the ODM party who have expressed reluctance to join the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration even after Gachagua’s ouster as deputy president.
Also Read: ODM MP Hints at When Wetang’ula will Leave Speaker Position
Despite the recent happenings, the Siaya Governor James Orengo clarified that though some of former ODM members were appointed to various key positions in the Ruto’s Cabinet, ODM still remains firm in the opposition.
Orengo while speaking at Mukurusu village in Sinyalu, Kakamega County where he was accompanied by ODM Deputy party leader Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi promised that the party will continue to agitate for better services to Kenyans.
“We as the party members of ODM must stand firm to ensure we protect the constitution that we voted for as Kenyans. In addition, we will ensure that Kenya is peaceful and that everything else moves on well in the Country,” Orengo asserted.
Party lauded for “stabilizing” government
The recent sentiments by the Raila Odinga-allied leaders come at a time there have been reports that the Raila Odinga-led party is demanding more stakes in President Ruto’s administration, days after the dramatic ouster of Gachagua.
Also Read: Rigathi Gachagua Speaks on Relationship with Ruto After Impeachment
Since Ruto formed a broad-based government by bringing former members of the party into the Cabinet, the orange faction has been lauded for its efforts in “stabilizing the government”.
The recent reports indicate that ODM insiders are asking for more senior appointments in government, for what they see as their role in helping President Ruto stabilize the country.
In addition, the reports indicate that the party wants to be rewarded for its role in enabling the impeachment of Gachagua, a grueling assignment insiders claim that would have fallen flat without the orange faction’s backing.
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