• His statement came hours after his Kisumu counterpart Anyang' Nyong'o termed the apparent exit of the MPs from ODM as a blessing in disguise.
• A section of the MPs have, however, come out to defend their visit to State House saying it was a follow-up on development promises.
Image: FILE
ODM's top leadership has continued to castigate nine Nyanza MPs who visited President William Ruto on Tuesday.
The party issued a statement distancing itself from the legislators and branded the lawmakers as selfish.
Siaya Governor James Orengo added his voice to the party stance saying the visit was not sanctioned by the ODM party.
"We disassociate ourselves with a visit to State House, Nairobi by a group of ODM MPs. The visit by the MPs was personal and not sanctioned by any of our official ODM party organs," he said in a statement.
His statement came hours after his Kisumu counterpart Anyang' Nyong'o termed the apparent exit of the MPs from ODM as a blessing in disguise.
"I am not surprised that an amalgam of self-seeking MPs went to State House without the blessing of our progressive party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)," Nyong'o said.
"After all, in a revolutionary situation such as the one currently staring us in the face in Kenya, it is helpful for the ODM leadership to remember Lenin's warning. In a revolutionary situation, V.I. Lenin wrote: Better fewer but better."
A section of the MPs has, however, come out to defend their visit to State House saying it was a follow-up on development promises.
"Today we had breakfast with the President, I followed up on the Start date of the construction of affordable housing in the Highrise ward and the completion of the Langata TVET,” Langa'ata MP Felix Odiwour alias Jalang'o said.
He was at the meeting with Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
Jalang'o added: “The project is on and the contractor is on the ground, an extra Sh50 million has been located for the completion.”
Ochanda also issued a statement saying despite the visit to State House, he was still loyal to ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He refuted reports that he has ditched the Orange Democratic Movement.
"It was basically a follow up to President William Ruto’s development tour in Nyanza early last month because there were indications that he may change his mind following anti-government rallies led by Raila Odinga," MP Ochanda told the Star.
The visit was seen by some observers as Ruto's strategy to counter Raila's planned anti-Ruto rallies.
Raila on Sunday gave the clearest indication that he wants to enhance his revolt against the Kenya Kwanza administration by launching a youth movement dubbed “movement for the defence of democracy”.
Speaking during a rally in Kamukunji grounds in Kibra, Raila accused Ruto of governing in absolute contempt of the people and the country’s institutions.