ODM members row over Wetangula inclusion in Cord

By PETER ATSIAYA

BUNGOMA, KENYA: Cracks have emerged in ODM Bungoma County office following the inclusion of Trade Minister Moses Wetangula in Cord by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

ODM County chairman Major Waluke says that Raila made a wrong decision to form an alliance with Mr Wetangula (left), the Ford-Kenya party chairman.

“The PM did not consult us when he wanted to form an alliance with Wetangula, therefore, we are not in support of the move,” Waluke told The Standard in a telephone interview yesterday.

But the party’s County Secretary General, Okumu Majimbo, differed with his chairman, saying he was not speaking on behalf of the party.

“What Waluke has stated are personal views and not those of party supporters and leaders from Bungoma County,” said Mr Okumu, who is also a former mayor of Bungoma Municipal Council.

He added: “We support an alliance between ODM and Ford-K. Wetangula has added a lot of value to the Cord alliance because he has a lot of support in Bungoma and western region in general.”

Political enemies

Speaking to The Standard on telephone yesterday, Okumu told Waluke to respect the decision made by the PM on partners in Cord.

“My word to my chairman is that he should respect the decision made by ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on who to forge an alliance with,” he added.

“Waluke is a member of NEC; if he was opposed to an alliance with Wetangula he should have raised the matter in the meeting,” he added.

Waluke pointed out that he has been looking for Raila in vain to raise his opposition over his decision to enter into a political deal with Wetangula.

Waluke and Wetangula have been  political rivals.