ODM will continue to fight for justice from within broad-based gov’t

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has reaffirmed ODM’s place in the broad-based government, stating that the party remains committed to championing social justice and delivering development for all Kenyans.

Wanga, who also chairs the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), said the decision to work within the Kenya Kwanza administration was guided by party leader Raila Odinga and should not be misinterpreted as a betrayal of the party’s ideals.

“We have a position as a party and that position is that we are part and parcel of the broad-based government, and we have been led there by our party leader (Raila Odinga). We don’t want to be pressured in or out,” said Wanga.

“We are fighters for social justice. Our children have been killed on these streets fighting for social justice in this country. We will continue to fight, but we will fight from within the broad-based government, as we also bring development for our people,” she added.

Wanga accused some opposition leaders of opposing ODM’s role in government not because of policy differences, but because of political discomfort due to the development projects being channeled to ODM strongholds.

“The biggest problem of some of these people is not even President Ruto. Their problem is that the ODM party particularly our community has been included in the government, and that we have projects coming here. Gachagua says it without blinking that instead of Ruto taking projects elsewhere he is taking projects to Nyanza, and that is why he is aggrieved.”

She asserted that all regions in the country deserve equal development regardless of their political affiliations.

“Nyanza and Raila’s strongholds in the Coast, Western, Turkana, Samburu and everywhere in this country are part and parcel of Kenya, and entitled to development like every other part of this country,” Wanga stated.

Her sentiments were echoed by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who said ODM will not be dragged into personality-driven feuds disguised as national debates.

“We do not want to get involved in personal issues that are being made to look like national issues. We know that we are collaborating with the KK government as ODM, but we are collaborating with our principles,” she stated.

The MP rejected claims that development projects in the region were a political reward for supporting the government.

“There is this narrative we keep being told, that we should observe table manners because we are ‘eating.’ But eating here does not mean we are eating Ugali and Samaki. What you are saying is that you have seen tarmac on our roads, things we have not seen in this region since independence.”