Political rivalry between Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and ODM national chairman John Mbadi is resurfacing after the latter revived the party activities.
Mbadi on Sunday called for the constituency ODM membership registration and invited the party leader Raila Odinga to grace it.
Mbadi and his supporters have accused Caroli of abandoning the party after he was voted in the 2022 general election.
Caroli is among the ODM leaders from Luo Nyanza who are working closely with the Kenya Kwanza government led by President William Ruto.
Mbadi argued that Suba South is an ODM stronghold constituency which cannot be left for UDA to take over.
Since they visited State House, UDA is gaining its roots not only in Suba South but Homa Bay as a county.
UDA has been registering people in Homa Bay and other parts of Nyanza which has been the bulwark of ODM.
“Caroli became an MP because I and Raila supported his candidature. He has now veered off the road and we must not allow him to destroy ODM in Suba South,” Mbadi said.
Speaking when they met delegates at a hotel in Kaksingri West ward in Suba South constituency, Mbadi said they want to enlist over 70 percent of people registered by IEBC.
According to IEBC records , the constituency has 54,838 voters. Those who have registered with ODM are 29,080 people.
Mbadi said will lead the party membership registration drive in the constituency.
“Let’s turn up and register with ODM because it’s the only party that fight for rights of the people. We rescue the party as demanded by majority of people,” he said.
But Caroli has insisted that he has not left ODM for UDA. He argues that his collaboration with Kenya Kwanza government is to seek development projects.
His collaboration has seen the Kenya Kwanza administration commit more than sh2.8billion to tarmack the 74km Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori road.
Caroli says he his committed to transform the living standards of his electorate.
“Let’s stop too much politics and focus on development. It’s not yet time for election,” Caroli said.
Raila who was accompanied by his deputy Wycliffe Oparanya, Roots Party leader George Wajakoya and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Present was Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Senator Moses Kajwang among other local leaders.
Raila said he has already advised Mbadi to return and seek Suba South constituency MP seat in 2027 polls.
He argued that Caroli has abandoned him and the party after he campaigned for the MP seat in 2022 general election.
Raila directed ODM supporters to vote Mbadi in the next general and drummed up support for him.
“He (Caroli) went to State House without my consent. I urge Suba South electorate to vote for Mbadi in 2027 elections,” Raila said.
The endorsement of Mbadi for MP seat in 2027 elections is going to re-activate political activities in the constituency as Caroli will strive counter any popularity by the ODM chairman.
Caroli will use the complete development projects done in his tenure to endeer himself to the people and seek second term.
The political rivalry between Mbadi and Caroli was witnessed in 2013 and 2017 elections when the two competed for ODM ticket.
Mbadi was handed the party ticket in both elections as Caroli disputed the party nomination process.
In 2022, Caroli got ODM ticket after Mbadi left MP seat to contest Homa Bay governor seat.
Mbadi was later nominated to the National Assembly by the ODM party.
The endorsement of Mbadi will push Caroli out of ODM as the party is likely to hand him direct ticket.
Oparanya asked Mbadi and Suba South residents not to allow ODM to loose its strength.
“We want you register as largely as possible in ODM. The party’s strength relies on the number of people it has as members,” Oparanya said.
Wanga, Orengo and Kajwang said they remain strong members of ODM party.
” We’re the foot soldiers of Baba (Raila) and we’ll always follow his directives,” Wanga said.
END