This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
On Monday, May 10, 2021, ODM leader Raila Odinga held a crucial meeting with Senator James Orengo and Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in a bid to end open defiance in his party ahead of the Senate vote on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Lawyer James Orengo, a long-time ally of Raila Odinga, has been at odds with the party over the proposed 70 new constituencies. His opposition to the party's position has raised eyebrows, given his close relationship with Odinga.
Meanwhile, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, a key figure in Western Kenya and a potential presidential candidate, has been making waves by meeting with Deputy President William Ruto. The move has sparked speculation about his intentions.
According to Raila Odinga's tweet, he had a brunch with Orengo, Oparanya, and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, but the details of their talks remain unclear.
The meeting comes on the heels of ODM's decision to remove Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo from the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for opposing the party's stance on BBI.
