Contrary to misconceptions that he's a Luo, Orange Democratic Movement party chairman John Mbadi has set records straight over his lineage.
At Kibra on Tuesday, the third term legislator insisted that ODM party is national, arguing that most of communities are incorporated in the party's leadership.
Mbadi argued that ODM does not belong to Luos, a community which is mostly associated with the party due to roots of party leader Raila Odinga.
His roots, he added, are anchored in the Abasuba community, a Bantu speaking people who live in the shores of Lake Victoria in South Nyanza.
"Unlike other parties, ODM is national. If I asked you today who is Jubilee Chairman, I don't think some of you know. But if you ask about ODM in Mandera, you'll be told it's Mbadi," he said.
"ODM does belong to Luos. Personally, I am not a Luo as many of you think. I am a Suba only that we neighbour Luos in Nyanza," he added.
The Abasuba community, just like Abakuria and Abagusii, settled in Nyanza. However, the community, which stays in Mbita, Mfangano and Rusinga Islands, has been assimilated by the Luo.
In their daily conversation, they often speak Dholuo, a reason why they are associated with the Nilotic group. Their language however, is almost becoming extinct.
Mbadi said that ODM values national image, adding that most of the officials do not share tribe with party leader Raila Odinga contrary to what people say.
"Even the deputy party leaders. Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is a Luhya while Governor Hassan Joho comes from the coast. ODM belongs to all."
Recently, former speaker Kenneth Marende claimed that in 2014, Raila asked him to take over as ODM chairman, a move he declined. It's after that Mbadi was appointed.