Raila insists ODM MPs who met Ruto at State House are traitors
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has read the riot act to dissidents within his political outfit.
Speaking at the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting in Machakos on February 9, 2023, Raila dismissed ODM lawmakers who are meeting president William Ruto under the guise that they are seeking development projects for their constituencies.
Raila said under the new constitution opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) don't need to kneel before the government to get development projects for their constituencies since the constitution guarantees them funds for development.
"We see new dangerous phenomenon developing that Members of Parliament are approaching the Executive supposedly for development in their constituencies. Under our current constitutional dispensation the resources are being actually allocated by Parliament. The Executive comes with the budget proposal to Parliament, Parliament looks at that budget proposals and then agrees on how to allocate resources," Raila said.
"So the days when Members of Parliament used to go and as see mtukufu rais Nyayo ati ulituhadia sisi utaleta mradi wa maji hapa, utajenga low cost housing sijui hapa, barabara hii itatengenezwa... kwenda piga magoti chini kwa rais alete maendeleo imekwisha. That era is gone," he added.
The ODM leader added that MPs who want to talk to the president on issues that affect the party must seek permission.
"If you want to go and see Mr President as a personal project in State House go. But if you want to go and talk about issues that affect the party then you must be given permission by the party before you go to see the president. These people must be seen for what are - traitors in the course of a revolution. We are in a cause of very serious issue," Raila said.
Dissident ODM MPs
Opposition lawmakers from Nyanza who met Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua at State House February 7, 2023, include; Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda. 
Jalang'o was turned away at the Azimio la Umoja retreat taking place at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County.
The Lang'ata MP maintained that he would not apologise for meeting Ruto even as he insisted that he was still a member of the ODM party and Azimio coalition.
"I will not apologize for meeting the President. I'm still a member of the Azimio and ODM. This is politics," he said.
Jalang'o had earlier stated that he would defy Raila if he asked him not to meet Ruto to discuss development projects.
