Wetang’ula wanted Raila arrested and charged with treason, ODM claims
ODM party members yesterday came out guns blazing in defence of Raila Odinga against attacks by estranged Nasa co-principal and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang'ula.
The party claimed that Wetang’ula wanted Raila arrested and charged with treason after his swearing-in as people's president on January 30, and that he was aware.
"Kenya was bleeding, nothing was moving, the Kenyan shilling had dropped tremendously and many schools had been closed. He saved Kenya,” the party said in a statement read by chairman John Mbadi.
“Wetang’ula wanted Raila arrested, charged and sent to jail so that he could celebrate. He is not the kind of a friend one needs," the ODM party's parliamentary group said.
The party was responding to Wetang'ula’s sustained attacks on Raila, which climaxed with an exclusive interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday night.
Wetang’ula ripped into Raila in a no-holds-barred attack, describing him as a perpetual party wrecker with a legacy tracing back to Kanu, Narc and Cord days.
He said Raila is not a team player and cannot be trusted by anyone.
He claimed that he had sacrificed his presidential ambitions twice for Raila, with whom he has now severed association.
But in a bare-knuckle response, ODM dismissed the Bungoma senator as a dishonest coward.
“Wetang’ula is the least person to talk about betrayal. He does not believe in any values that a politician worth his title should hold. Shouting hoarse in funerals and weddings won’t make him a latter day saint. His past betrays him,” they charged.
“He has forgotten so fast how the man he only refers to as Raila came to his rescue when Musikari Kombo was about to win in the 2013 senatorial by-election in Bungoma,” they added.
But in a swift response, Wetang’ula denied knowledge of a plot to arrest Raila.
“It is utter balderdash and absolute nonsense from people with bankrupt minds. I have never and do not control instruments of government that arrest and incarcerate people,” the Bungoma senator said.
Tension was high days before the swearing-in, with the government deploying hundreds of police officers around Uhuru Park and threatening to arrest leaders who dared attend the function.
The heavy security was withdrawn, however, a few hours before Raila stormed the venue without his colleagues — Wetang'ula, ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
After the oathing, the government responded with a crackdown, arresting vocal ODM members Tom Kajwang' and Miguna Miguna for presiding over the ceremony that triggered open division within Nasa.
Less than two months later, on March 9, Raila shocked the nation when he and President Uhuru Kenyatta shook hands outside the Office of the President and sued for the nation’s unity.
The truce took his Nasa colleagues by surprise and elicited claims of betrayal. Raila took on a conciliatory tone, explaining that his action was prompted by desire to unite the divided nation.
But the rift persisted. Shortly after, the Opposition ganged up and dethroned Wetang’ula from the position of Minority leader in the Senate, accusing him of being condescending and arrogant towards his colleagues. He was replaced by Siaya Senator and ranking ODM member James Orengo.
On Tuesday, Wetang'ula laid his woes at Raila's doorstep, saying nothing could be done in the party without his authority or directives. He recalled how he had been humiliated by senators at a meeting ostensibly called by Raila to arbitrate.
He said he will forge new alliances with others in his bid for the 2022 election.
"I will be a presidential candidate myself in 2022. I will work with others or others work with me but be sure I shall be on the ballot," Wetang’ula said.
Yesterday, the Parliamentary Group led by National Assembly Minority leader and party chairman John Mbadi and Chief Whip Junet Mohammed, claimed that Wetang'ula was "suffering from discerning amnesia".
“He lacks the political clout to be consulted on matters of national unity, economic growth, strengthening of devolution and reforms,” the MPs said in a statement at Parliament Buildings.
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