By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has sensationally claimed that the government is financing political leaders it has branded rebels.
Several elected leaders are already in the bad books of the opposition party for their dalliance with the government.
Most of those branded as rebels are from the opposition leader Raila Odinga’s home region – Nyanza.
According to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the rebels are all being facilitated by the government in the hope they will make inroads into Raila’s support base in the Luo-Nyanza.
Part of the ways the government is helping the ODM rebels, Sifuna claimed, is by allowing them to use the security team to terrorize locals.
“We held a special ODM Central Committee meeting with leaders from Migori and Kisii Counties. Shocking accounts of how the @InteriorKE is availing Police and Provincial Administration to some government leaning leaders to underwrite violence in parts of Nyanza in an effort to prop up the so-called ODM rebels,” said the Nairobi Senator in a post on his verified X handle.
Another way the government is sponsoring the ODM rebels, according to Sifuna, is by giving them Teachers Service (TSC) appointment letters.
The opposition party is now demanding answers from the Ministry of Education and its Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on why the said MPs are allowed to walk around with TSC letters.
“Hata barua za TSC wanatembea nazo kwa mfuko. Tunataka Machogu atuambie za watu wa ODM zitachukuliwa wapi,” said the ODM secretary.
Some of the Nyanza leaders who have since been branded rebels for working with the government include Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda and MP Caroli Omondi (Suba MP), Bondo’s Gideon Ochanda, and Elisha Odhiambo of Gem.
Past efforts by the ODM party to expel them hit a snag after the legislators secured court injunctions.
ODM leader Raila Odinga is on record asking those associating with the government to resign.
“We have agreed that all those elected as MPs in our parties have a term of five years. If you want to leave ODM and join UDA, then leave Parliament and return to the people to be re-elected under UDA,” Raila said during an ODM recruitment drive in Nairobi.
