MPs Rege, Oner accuse ODM leaders of dictatorship, tell Raila to keep off Homa Bay -
ODM leader Raila Odinga should stop the party from imposing leaders on the people of Homa Bay county, said Karachuonyo MP James Rege.
Rege, who is the Homa Bay branch ODM secretary alleged dictatorship in the party.
“I love my party leader Raila so much and I will continue supporting him but my request to him is that he should stop ODM from dictating leadership on the people,” he said on Wednesday.
“Raila is my friend whom I have taken porridge from his house several times, but I am asking for nothing more from him than to give residents of Homa Bay County the freedom to elect a senator of their choice."
He was speaking during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Rose Muhando grounds in Homa Bay town on Wednesday.
He said the people of Homa Bay will feel compelled to vote for the senator seat candidate Raila campaigns for.
Rege declared his support for Maendeleo Democratic Party's Philip Okundi in the February 12 by-election.
“Nobody should force me to support ODM’s Moses Kajwang’ because I had decided to support him but his brother Tom Kajwang’ insulted me in Orange house.
"Today I want to tell the public that I am supporting Okundi but it will be very difficult for anybody to send me home because am advocating for the rights of our people,” he said.
Rangwe MP George Oner criticised ODM Chairman John Mbadi for threatening stern action against him for the alleged violation of party rules by supporting Okundi.
“The constitution says that an election is done by the people but Mbadi implies that an election is done for the people. I think it is Mbadi who requires a disciplinary action but not I,” Oner said.
He said his intention is to champion democracy in Homa Bay as denoted by his party's name.
He added that the the people should be allowed to vote for the candidates they prefer despite their party affiliations.
Homa Bay town MP Peter Kaluma urged the locals to maintain peace during the campaigns.
“Let our youths know that they are the people who will be disadvantaged if they accept to involve themselves in any violence,” Kaluma said.
He said he is optimistic that Moses Kajwang will win.