Senator Eddy Oketch claims ODM rebels pocketed Ksh50M to ditch Raila for Ruto
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch now claims Nyanza Members of Parliament who were hosted by President William Ruto on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, for a consultative meeting at State House were offered money to exit Azimio.
Taking to social media, the senator claimed they were offered Ksh50 million to join the government at the cost of their communities.
"It is unfortunate that a section of ODM MPs has been given 50 million by Statehouse to leave Azimio and join Kenya Kwanza. Let’s not sell the souls of our people. Betrayal in the city, you think you are destroying Baba but instead, you are destroying the community," he tweeted.
It is unfortunate that a section of ODM MPs have been given 50million by Statehouse to leave Azimio and join Kenya Kwanza. Let’s not sell the souls of our people. Betryal in the city, you think you are destroying Baba but instead you are destroying the community @ledamalekina— Sen. Eddy Gicheru Oketch (@oketchgicheru) February 7, 2023
ODM responds
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in a statement signed by the party's communications director, Philip Etale, alluded that the meeting did not come as a surprise to them as they have been closely monitoring activities involving some of the leaders.
"The visit to State House this morning by a section of ODM members of parliament has not come as a surprise to the party and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Movement. The party has been monitoring closely the behind-the-scenes activities involving some of them and today was just the climax," the statement reads in parts.
Etale alleged that the meeting was just one of the schemes that aim to deviate from key issues affecting Kenyans instead of offering clear insights into the problems and solutions.
"They have started spending stolen money to hoodwink some of our leaders with the aim of trying to scuttle our activities. Such meetings are aimed at diverting Kenyans' attention from issues they face, ranging from the high cost of living, unbearable school fees for their children, and corruption," he stated.
While terming the move as selfish, the party further called on Kenyans to ignore such leaders since they only 'cared' about their stomachs regardless of the outcome.
"We know that in the quest for legitimate leadership, there are those who will fall by the wayside, and some will be compromised, but the MOVEMENT remains unstoppable. This is a people’s movement aimed at defending the constitution of the land. History will judge harshly leaders who want to betray Kenyans by accepting handouts to scuttle the activities of the movement," Etale affirmed.
"We call on Kenyans to ignore such selfish leaders who only care about their stomachs and not the well-being of the millions of poor Kenyans," he added.
