ODM MPs Dare Orengo to Undermine Raila, Vote Against BBI

A section of ODM legislators has dared Senate Minority Leader James Orengo to go against the party's position on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and face the consequences.

The Members of Parliament led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi dared the Siaya Senator to subvert the directives given by the party on the BBI bill. He challenged Orengo to vote against the bill at the Senate.

Wandayi, who was addressing the media on Saturday, May 8, 2021, accused Orengo of working with some MPs to sabotage constitutional change.

"The most important thing for us as people of Siaya County and the greater Nyanza region is to rally behind our leader. Let me emphasise that we have only one leader and that is none other than, Raila Odinga. It's a question of choice, either you are with us or not.

"There is no debate about that. Once he has given us direction just like he has done, then we have no choice but to support it just like we did at the National Assembly," Wandayi stated.

He added that all ODM Senators are expected to vote for the bill.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda alleged that Orengo was in violation of party directives. He accused the senator of disrespecting ODM's leadership.

This comes days after it was alleged that the party was contemplating de-whipping Orengo as Senate Minority leader.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, however, poured cold water on the allegations.

“There has been unfounded and widespread speculation that the Party is about to change its Minority leadership in the Senate.

“We wish to clarify that ODM has no plans to replace Senator James Orengo," Raila said.

Orengo has been at the end of criticism from a section of ODM lawmakers for questioning the credibility of the BBI. Orengo also challenged the proposal to create 70 new constituencies.