Raila challenges Senator Ojienda to join UDA

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga wants Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda to leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Senior Counsel Ojienda was elected on the ODM party ticket in August, 2022.

The Senator has however been leaning towards the government, after he led other Luo politicians in meeting President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi early this year.

Speaking at Ombaka, in Nyando, Kisumu County during a relief food distribution exercise to victims of floods in the area, Odinga said if Ojienda is 'man enough,' he should resign and seek for a fresh mandate under Ruto's UDA party.

He threw the same challenge towards a host of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) percieved to be in the Senator's camp.

Ojienda has previously maintained that he will cooperate with Ruto's administration, to fast track development for the benefit of residents of the Lakeside county.

The Senator insists he remains a loyal member of ODM.

Odinga told residents of Nyando that he came visiting to support victims of flooding in the area.

Tens of people have lost property, with dozens of others left homeless, as a result of the floods.

"I have brought floor in a big truck," said the ODM party leader. Last week, police barred Odinga from accessing the site of mass graves in Shakahola forest, Kilifi County.

He was barred after Interior Cabinet (CS) Kithure Kindiki termed the area a scene of crime.

His critics wondered why he chose to go to Shakahola instead of visiting flood victims in Nyando, one of his political bedrocks.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o recieved Odinga at the Kisumu International Airport, before the food distribution exercise.