Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda
has taken a swipe at a section of ODM leaders, accusing them of hypocrisy and
political dishonesty for criticizing the government while still holding key
positions in it.
In a scathing statement on Saturday,
Jhanda said the ODM faction should not issue threats or lectures on governance
and human rights, arguing they lacked the mandate to do so.
"Those ODM leaders criticising the government should not threaten or lecture us on how to run the government or human rights issues. They have never won any
elections,” said the MP.
He challenged the disgruntled ODM
members to clarify their position, questioning why they continued to enjoy
government privileges while publicly attacking the leadership.
“If they’re uncomfortable in the
broad-based government, then muhame mbio,” Jhanda said, using a Swahili
phrase meaning “quit government”.
Jhanda further dared the faction to successfully
direct ODM-affiliated Cabinet Secretaries
to step down, saying only then would their criticism be taken seriously.
“Ask your ministers to resign, and
then we shall take you seriously,” he added.
The remarks come in the wake of
growing discontent within sections of the opposition over the government’s
handling of recent national protests and economic policies.
Some ODM leaders have accused the
administration of violating human rights and abandoning the needs of ordinary
Kenyans.
However, Jhanda insists ODM cannot
have it both ways, benefiting from government appointments while fueling public
dissent.
