ODM SG Challenges Ole Lenku to Leave Party

ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has challenged Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to leave the party if he is no longer satisfied with its leadership and direction.

Speaking on Sunday, September 6, Omanyo called on him to resign if he has already defected from the party and allow his deputy to complete the remaining months of his term.

"I’m challenging Ole Lenku: let him tell us which party he is the governor of; and if he has defected, let him resign today. Let the Deputy Governor finish these remaining months," she said.

Omanyo also responded to Lenku’s remarks that the Maasai community could leave the party if its leadership fails to offer them anything substantial.

"This governor says that if the ODM party does not give them anything substantial, all the Maasai will leave. Let us start with him - how has he helped the party?" she added.

Speaking on Saturday, August 22, Ole Lenku threatened to leave ODM, citing betrayal from the party leadership. 

He accused some ODM party officials of campaigning for State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, yet his deputy Martin Moshisho is seeking the seat. 

Ole Lenku demanded an apology from ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga over the incident. 

"I am an ODM Governor, and my deputy, Martin Moshisho, is seeking the Governor’s seat through the same party. But about a month ago, we saw officials from our party coming to campaign for someone who is not an ODM member in Kajiado, Katoo Ole Metito.

"We want to tell the party leader, Oburu Oginga, that we are still waiting for an apology and for those who made the mistake to come out and say they are sorry," he said. 

Ole Lenku warned that the ODM party will be shut down in Kajiado if they allow officials to continue supporting Metito. 

"Recently, you saw 10 MCAs leave UDA and ODM and join DCP because of Katoo’s poor leadership. If ODM continues to allow opportunists to chase Katoo’s money, ODM will be finished in Kajiado. 

"We are the ones who brought ODM here; we are the ones who gave it respect. We are ready to shut it down if you continue to betray us," he added. 

Further, Ole Lenku said he will not stop Moshisho from taking his team to the Linda Mwananchi Movement if the ODM does not apologize. 

"If Moshisho and those seeking seats under ODM are not respected, we will not stop him from taking the entire team to Linda Mwananchi. You are dealing with a new Maa nation," he further said.