Wanjigi said the Orange Democratic Movement is a party of the people and is not anyone's project.
Image: BENJAMIN NYAGAH
The handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga has denied party members the right to freely express themselves, Jimi Wanjigi has said.
Speaking in Kigumo, Embu county on Sunday, Wanjigi criticised the handshake saying it has created fraudsters in the orange party.
He said ODM party leaders have since the handshake become arrogant.
Wanjigi said the Orange Democratic Movement is a party of the people and is not anyone's project.
"Fraudsters have intervened since the handshake. The same people who have led the country's economy to its knees have come and said they support my party leader," Wanjigi said.
He said ODM has deteriorated since party leader Raila Odinga signed the handshake pact in March 2018.
He said party members have ignored their roles so as to accommodate their Jubilee Party counterparts and in the process, ODM lost its identity.
Wanjigi cited Raila's Tuesday tour of Embu county when party officials were relegated to the backseat as Jubilee leaders welcomed the former Prime Minister to the region.
ODM party's chairman for Embu county Moses Wamuuru was not given a chance to welcome his party leader. That opportunity was taken by Embu Governor Martin Wambora who is a member of the Jubilee Party.
"Our party leader who has united the Mt Kenya region was denied a chance to speak to his people and instead given to the governor," Wanjigi said.
The businessman also attacked Suna East MP Junet Mohamed whom he said was an arrogant leader.
"Junet's arrogance is not needed and must be condemned," he said.
Wamuuru who is eying the Embu Senate seat said ODM was stable and the people who are painting the party in bad light should change.
He asked Junet to apologise because ODM does not stand for the sentiments he expressed.
Junet while in Nyamira county on Friday said it was time for Raila to become president so power can go to Nyanza.
"We are giving notice to Junet Mohamed to apolosize to Kenyans. We are not responsible for his utterances and he should know we are not ready to host swindlers," Wamuuru said.
ODM National Executive Council member Steve Mbogo called on Junet to resign over his utterances.
Mbogo urged Embu residents to support Wanjigi's presidential bid so he can revive the economy.