The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury John Mbadi speaks after the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the Tonga-Kasongo-Osiri road in Suba South constituency/Robert Omollo
Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury John Mbadi has urged Suba South voters not to re-elect MP Caroli Omondi in the 2027 General Election, accusing the legislator of failing to adequately serve the constituency.
Speaking after launching the construction of the Tonga-Kasongo-Osiri Road in the Tonga area of Suba South Constituency on Sunday, Mbadi claimed Omondi had not delivered meaningful development projects since being elected.
The Star sought a response from Omondi regarding Mbadi's remarks, but he did not respond to phone calls or text messages by the time of publication.
He also alleged that the MP rarely visited the constituency and had criticised development projects that Mbadi said he had initiated for residents.
"Residents of Suba South must reject Caroli in 2027 because he has demonstrated that he does not have the interests of the people at heart," Mbadi said.
Suba South MP aspirant Bernard Odhuno, CS John Mbadi, Awendo MP Walter Owino and other local leaders at Tonga in Suba South constituency/Robert Omollo
Mbadi further criticised Omondi over his reported opposition to the 2026 Finance Bill and the national budget, saying the spending plan contains allocations for projects that would benefit Suba South.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the budget provides funding to complete the Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori Road, the Tonga-Osiri-Kisaku Road and the Kiabuya-Nyandiwa-Osiri Road.
The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury John Mbadi during the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the Tonga-Kasongo-Osiri road in Suba South constituency/Robert Omollo
"The budget I read in Parliament was praised and supported by many MPs, including those from Turkana and the Coast, because it will help address underdevelopment in their areas. Your MP rejected the budget, which has provisions that benefit the people of Suba," Mbadi said.
Mbadi and Omondi have been political rivals for several years.
Their rivalry dates back to the ODM party primaries ahead of the 2017 General Election, when Mbadi was declared the winner before the party's tribunal later awarded the ticket to him following a dispute lodged by Omondi.
In the 2022 General Election, Omondi received the ODM ticket after Mbadi abandoned his bid for re-election to pursue the Homa Bay governorship before later stepping down in favour of Gladys Wanga.
Mbadi subsequently returned to the National Assembly as a nominated MP and was later appointed Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury.
Mbadi also claimed he had unsuccessfully appealed to former ODM leader Raila Odinga not to issue Omondi with the party ticket in 2022.
"He doesn't deserve to be re-elected. ODM forced him on us in 2022, but I must ensure he goes home in 2027," he said.
Awendo MP Walter Owino, who accompanied Mbadi, urged residents to elect leaders who would support the implementation of development projects in the constituency.
"Suba has been a marginalised area for a very long time, and we should support leaders who have the intention to transform it. Let's vote for the ODM candidate in 2027 to continue with Mbadi's development agenda for Suba," Owino said.
Suba South MP aspirant Bernard Odhuno also appealed for support, saying he was ready to succeed Omondi and continue development initiatives started during Mbadi's tenure as MP.
"Suba South people no longer need an absentee MP. Vote for me so that we can continue the development agenda from where Mbadi left it," Odhuno said.
Omondi is among elected leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has declared its opposition to President William Ruto's re-election. He has also publicly stated that he will not seek re-election on an ODM ticket.
