ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has dismissed remarks by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who claimed that Oburu, who succeeded his late brother Raila Odinga, is unfit to lead the party.
In a sharp rebuttal on Friday, Oburu affirmed that he was duly picked by ODM members and remains the legitimate leader of the party.
Speaking at Kango’o Kajaramogi in Bondo, Dr. Oburu declared he will not resign, bow to pressure, or be intimidated by any individual or faction within ODM.
Governor Orengo last week in Nakuru declared himself the rightful ODM leader, accusing Oburu of poor leadership.
However, Oburu has hit back dismissing Orengo’s claims as baseless and politically motivated.
“I don’t care whether somebody goes and declares himself party leader… you can be a party leader of the trees… you can be a party leader of the birds… but you’re certainly not the party leader of ODM,” said Oburu.
Dr. Oburu also directed criticism at ousted ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of undermining party structures and defying resolutions passed by the party’s governing organs.
“You have no right to come out yourself and start opposing the same resolutions which are passed in your presence—and which you have yourself come out as the SG of the party and read out to people,” Oburu stated.
He further questioned Sifuna’s legitimacy, saying Sifuna has refused to follow party channels to defend his position.
”How can he still claim that office? Is that possible?”
Despite the mounting tensions, ODM leaders allied to both camps have sought to downplay fears of a major fallout in the party rocked by a clash of ideas since the passing of its leader, Raila Odinga.
