ODM chairman John Mbadi has revealed the fate of Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in the wake of a merger between President Kenyatta’s Jubilee and Gideon Moi’s KANU through a post-poll coalition.
Speaking to one of the leading TV stations Monday morning, Mbadi ruled out the possibility that the Jubilee-KANU coalition will negatively affect the close relationship between President Kenyatta and the ODM party leader.
According to Mbadi, the merger will instead strengthen the handshake which brought together the two leaders after the divisive 2017 general election.
Mbadi said that the agreement between ODM and Jubilee party was that each party should not dictate what the other party does.
“If Jubilee decides to go to any merger with Kanu, they are perfectly in order because it is not part of our concern,” Mbadi said.
He added that “Bringing more hands into Jubilee is helpful to the cause of both Jubilee and ODM.. at least for the two leaders who agreed to move this country forward. I don’t think as a party we feel threatened in any way with any arrangements that Jubilee gets into with any friendly party.”
Mbadi was responding to the current turmoil inside the Jubilee house.
The Suba South MP added that the agreement between ODM and Jubilee was not about merging but to address and solve the problems that have been facing the country through the handshake.
He, however, said that if Jubilee party would like to make a further arrangement with ODM ahead of the future elections, the party will discuss it.
“I will not rule out any such possibility because political parties are formed to acquire power and to govern,” he said.
Mbadi’s remarks come after talks of a possible coalition between Jubilee and Kanu after President Uhuru Kenyatta met with Kanu chair Gideon Moi.
The president summoned Jubilee senators for a meeting at State House on Monday. During the meeting, major changes were made in the Jubilee Senate leadership.
West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio was appointed the new Senate Majority leader.
Poghisio will now be deputised by Isiolo senator Fatuma Dullo Adan.
In the new changes, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata has replaced Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika as the Majority Chief Whip.
Kang’ata will be deputised by Wajir nominated senator Farhiya Ali Haji.
State House spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararon said 20 senators from both Jubilee and Kanu attended the meeting.
