ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga on Thursday held a late-evening meeting with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Nairobi, in what insiders described as a follow-up to talks the two held in December last year, amid growing speculation of strain between ODM and President William Ruto’s camp over zoning arrangements.
Sources within the Orange party said the Thursday meeting came against the backdrop of disagreements after allies of the President’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) rejected ODM’s zoning calls in Homa Bay County, a development that has reportedly heightened tension within the broad-based coalition.
The renewed engagement between Wanga and Kalonzo is also being viewed through the lens of Wanga’s escalating pressure on President Ruto to remove Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo rom office.
Wanga has accused Omollo of taking credit for initiatives implemented by the Homa Bay County government, arguing that the move undermines ODM and weakens the party’s standing within the coalition administration.
However, Omollo has denied the allegations. His allies have dismissed Wanga’s claims as scapegoating, insisting the Interior PS is being targeted out of what they termed “petty jealousies.”
The Nairobi meeting, which stretched to about 9pm, was attended by Wanga’s political adviser, Homa Bay Majority Leader Martin Ogindo, and two Homa Bay County Members of Parliament.
Neither Wanga nor Kalonzo immediately issued a public statement on the details of their discussions.
