Editor's Review

Babu Owino has accused the ODM party of planning to shortchange him in the position of Public Accounts committee chair.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has launched an online war against his ODM party accusing it of betraying the youth. 

Babu, who is a two time MP, says many youths who have fought hard for the party have been betrayed by the outfit despite them having used their resources in the campaigns.

The comment comes in the wake of a dispute surrounding the leadership position at the National Assembly where MPs are jostling for key roles.

"ODM Party, so many youth and myself sacrificed a lot and used our resources in the party over the years, our pay is betrayal and blackmail. It is OK. Tomorrow is another day," Babu Owino tweeted.

He went on to accuse the ODM party of planning to shortchange him in the position of Public Accounts Chair that he claimed had been reserved for him.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga. PHOTO | COURTESY

He stated that nominated MP John Mbadi was being offered the post after having been overlooked in the position of the National Assembly Majority leader.

"The ODM party with Due respect why should Hon John Mbadi come down from the position of Majority leader to PAC chair which was reserved for me. This will not happen. Over my dead body…Young people must get their space.. it’s now or never. He has been rewarded through Nomination," Babu stated.

ODM leader Raila Odinga is expected to hold a crisis meeting next week to address these concerns among members.

During the Monday meeting, Raila is expected to quell the simmering rebellion that seeks to wreck the party.

The meeting had been scheduled for this week but was called off owing to the ongoing parliamentary induction that has seen MPs take part.

The unveiling of the new parliamentary leadership by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka is said to have caused jitters in the party with a section of members dissatisfied.

Nominated MP John Mbadi is one such member who came out publicly to express his reservation on the list of new parliamentary leadership.

This is after he was sidelined in the leadership of parliament despite having served as the minority leader in the last two consecutive terms as MP.

In the unveiled list, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi was named the majority leader while the rest of the positions were shared among the Jubilee, Wiper, and ODM parties.