Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has told off a section of Western Kenya leaders criticising his party leader Raila Odinga over perceived lack of development projects in the area.
Led by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, the leaders, who include MPs Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) and Justus Murunga (Matugu), have been accusing Raila of using his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta to initiate projects in his Luo-Nyanza while sidelining the rest of Western region.
During a function in the area last week, Khalwale told the ODM boss to stop associating himself with the Luhyas since he has forgotten them.
“Raila no longer values Western where he claims to be the 13th grandson of Wanga King Nabongo Mumia,” the former Senator said.
Reacting to the remarks, Sifuna asked the leaders to leave Raila alone and ask Deputy President William Ruto, who has made numerous visits in the area, to address their development needs.
“They have been moving around claiming Ruto brings development. Why can’t they ask him to bring it to Western? Raila is not in government but Ruto is,” Sifuna said as quoted by Nation.
Echoing similar sentiments, ODM chairman John Mbadi asked Khalwale's group to stop blaming their development woes on the former Prime Minister, and instead, explain which development projects the DP has been launching in the area.
“What they are saying is a clear confirmation they have purely been looking for handouts and have realised so when it is too late and want to use Raila as a scapegoat,” Mbadi said.
“Washiali is the Chief Whip of Jubilee government and they have been hosting Ruto many times. So, what has Ruto been doing in Western Kenya? They have been claiming they follow Ruto because of development, so where is this development?” posed the National Assembly Minority Leader as quoted by the Nation.