'Broad-based rebel lawmakers' to launch political movement

A group of youthful members of parliament (MPs) now say they want to start a movement to chart their own destiny.

The MPs drawn from both the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio alliances are fierce critics of the Broad-based government.

The group says their movement seeks to campaign against President William Ruto’s bid for a second term in case ODM’s Raila backs him.

The young parliamentarians will be meeting this Sunday, August 24, morning at a church service where they are expected to announce nationwide events and rallies to counter the two-term bid.  

Among the notable members of the group include ODM Secretary General, who is also Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (ODM) and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi (ODM).

Others are Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu-ODM), Caleb Amisi (Saboti-ODM) and Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti-Wiper).

"We are a large group of almost 70 MPs who are like-minded and subscribe to ‘Wantam’ philosophy,” MP Kibagendi told Star Digital ahead of today’s church event.

He said those who are appearing in the poster confirmed their attendance in the church service to be held at Jesus Teaching Ministry (JTM) in Owino’s constituency.

“From Embakasi, we will be headed to Busia next weekend and thereafter will announce a series of other activities,” Kibagendi added.

On Saturday evening, Amisi wrote on his X account, “Tuanze na maombi kesho pale Embakasi East kwa Babu Owino.”

Senator Sifuna is one of the high-profile leaders from ODM who have declared opposition to any quest by the party to back President Ruto’s second term bid.

This has led to speculation that his days as the Orange party’s Secretary General and spokesman are numbered. Last week, President Ruto’s advisor on constitutional matters Prof Makau Mutua called for his removal.

"My good learned friend and Senator Edwin Sifuna appears to be in an untenable position as SG of @TheODMparty. It seems to me that the honourable thing for him to do if he’s a man of principle is to resign his post, which almost never happens in Kenya, unless one is sacked," Mutua said on his X account.

Sifuna, however, scoffed at the statement, "Omwami (Mutua), you have the unenviable task of determining the value of the lives of the young people your new friends killed and compensating their families. One would imagine that crown to be so heavy as not to allow the wearer time for anything else, let alone worrying about the SG of ODM, who isn’t even your friend."