Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Hamisi now wants ODM leader Raila Odinga to disown Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi, Hassan Joho, and Wycliffe Oparanya, arguing that their involvement in government is detrimental to the Orange Democratic Movement Party.

Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, July 29, Hamisi contrasted the current situation with that of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime, where Odinga claimed his government involvement was beneficial. This time, he said, there is nothing tangible to show.

“You cannot continue with the lie that ODM experts came and rescued the economy because people will ask questions.”

According to Hamisi, Odinga claims that he returned from Dubai only to find the four leaders “negotiating positions” for themselves at State House.  And as a senior leader, Odinga chose not to confront them publicly.

However, while there were promises that the signed deal between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM would benefit the party, Hamisi insisted it has only caused harm, and that Odinga must now sever ties with the four and focus on rebuilding ODM.

“Baba should disown these experts. He keeps on telling us he came from Dubai and found them in the State House looking for jobs. So he could not argue with them at his age in public and we believed him. It is now time to disown them, say they are my children, but they decided to go a step further and find some lunch,” said the MP. 

His remarks come amid ongoing debate over whether Odinga truly supports President Ruto’s broad-based government or is merely straddling both sides.

Last week, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna criticised Ruto’s government, raising questions over whether he was speaking as Nairobi Senator or as the Party’s official voice.
According to Hamisi, Odinga’s current position is unclear, and he must publicly state whether ODM is part of the government or not. He warned that failure to clarify the party’s stance risks its collapse.

“He needs to make it clear as the party leader of ODM, whether he fully supports the broad-based [government] or that was just an agreement.” 

Hamisi also dismissed President Ruto’s record, claiming he has “nothing tangible to his name,” unlike Odinga, who is widely recognised for standing up for democratic values. 
He added that it is disheartening for ODM supporters to see Odinga working with Ruto. 

“We thought these two individuals could not meet because they are two different human beings with different ideologies. And when I saw them signing things at KICC, then I thought Baba (Odinga) is putting himself in trouble. Because when they had a handshake with Uhuru, we never benefited from it, and we carried Uhuru’s baggage.” 

“ODM has let down its supporters. Now, Kenyans are looking at us, thinking even if ODM could have taken power, this is how they would have run the government. And that’s not right, and we are saying Baba, put your house in order,” added the MP.

According to Hamisi, ODM must urgently make a clear decision, and if they decide to be in government, then he will not be seeking re-election on that party.