This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Leaders Clash Over Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) ¶
Reports of internal wrangles within the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) have sparked concerns that the party's stance on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) bill may be at risk of collapse.
According to a statement issued by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale on May 3, 2021, some senior leaders within the party were reading from different scripts regarding the contents of the BBI bill.
However, Etale downplayed the differences, stating that there was consensus among ODM MPs and Senators that the bill would be passed.
Siaya Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo have been accused of betraying the party after they supported the declaration of 70 additional constituencies as unconstitutional.
The duo has also called for amendments to be done before passing the document.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who is also the co-chair of the BBI secretariat and the ODM Director of Elections, has accused Orengo of attempting to disown a document he helped draft alongside National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya.
Junet stated, 'He cannot turn around now to say we didn’t agree on this or that. He cannot run away from his baby.'
The divide saw Orengo attract backlash from ODM supporters who accused him of betraying Odinga in sabotaging the BBI Bill.
Raila's inner circle sees Orengo's stand as an attempted coup against the former Prime Minister for the Luo kingpinship - at a time when Odinga is recovering from Covid-19.
The Senator was reportedly summoned to Raila's Karen home and State House to persuade him against his tough stance on the BBI bill.
Siaya Senator James Orengo speaking during the disbursement of Gem CDF bursaries in Wagai on Monday, February 19.
