This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
Turkana Governor Accuses Raila of Betraying Nyanza Leaders ¶
On August 16, 2019, Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok publicly criticized Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), during a community event in Turkana.
Nanok claimed that Raila had forgotten the Turkana people after they supported him with over 99% of their votes in the 2017 presidential election.
He also accused Raila of only benefiting his allies from the Nyanza region, including Mbadi, Orengo, and Junet, through the handshake deal.
"Watu wa Turkana walipigia kura chama cha ODM karibu kila mtu lakini sasa wamesahaulika kwenye matunda ya handshake. Makubaliano ya handshake yamewafaidi tu Mbadi, Orengo, Junet na watu wa Nyanza na wengine wa eneo la Magharibi," Nanoka alisema.
Nanok further accused Raila of ordering his removal from the ODM leadership position, where he was serving as the deputy chairman.
He also claimed that the government was planning to exploit the Turkana people by denying them their rightful share of the revenue from the oil and gas resources in the region.
"Lazima ieleweke kuwa mimi kama gavana sitakubali watu wetu kunyanyaswa, ni lazima waheshimiwe. Waturkana wanajua haki zao, sisi ndio tunatoa mafuta hapa na madini mengine. Na kama wenye eneo hili, tuna haki ya asilimia 25 ya mauzo hayo na hilo lazima litekelezwe," alisema.
Raila Odinga, however, dismissed Nanok's claims, saying that he was the one who had decided to move to the other side of the political spectrum for the benefit of the Turkana people.
"Nanok bado ni rafiki yangu na ni yeye alisema kuwa anahama mpaka upande ule mwingine kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya watu wake. Milango ya ODM iko wazi iwapo anataka kurudi," Raila alisema.
