councilors who are on the side of Migori Governor Okoth Obado on Wednesday fired the county’s parliamentary majority leader, Edward Ngoro, and Chief Kevince Keke.
The meeting, chaired by Speaker Boaz Okoth, who is Mr Obado’s successor, nominated new leaders who are also believed to be loyal to the PDP party affiliated with the governor.
The unexpected move was seen as part of Mr Obado’s plans to establish himself as a spokesman for the Luo community in the region.
The governor has been portraying himself as one of the leaders vying for the position of ODM leader Raila Odinga’s political shoes if he decides not to run for president in 2022. It is expected that if Mr Odinga does not run for office in the next election, his political influence in Nyanza will diminish. will need a new speaker.
Sakwa West ward councilor Nerstory Owiyo replaced Mr Ngoro while Kamagambo East Councilor Shadrack Nyawade replaced him.
Two stripped councilors led some councilors to ignore the decision, blaming the governor for trying to oust parliament.
“We are aware of plans to undermine our party’s leadership by ousting PDP supporters. The governor has decided to ignore the law and cause divisions in our party, ”lamented Mr Ngoro.
He asserted that his confession had been obtained through torture and that his confession had been obtained through torture.
Some ODM officials in the county have been calling for Mr Obado to be ousted from the party for joining the PDP and going against the party’s stance of being elected governor.
Elsewhere, religious leaders from the Nyanza area as well as the Waluo Council of Elders have called on local politicians to put an end to the rift between the BBI so that unity in the region remains stable ahead of the 2022 elections.
Disagreements over the BBI have sparked a heated debate among Mr Raila’s supporters and religious leaders say the differences could undermine his popularity and his desire to run for a fifth term next year.
On Tuesday, the National Council of Churches (NCCK), the Siaya branch, said political unrest and hostility between local leaders was unfortunate and called for calm to be embraced.
“We want our leaders to be responsible and to run the BBI’s campaign peacefully without alienating civilians. However, we are ready to reconcile them and we will not sit back and watch things go awry, ”said Pastor John Godia.
A member of the Council of Elders of the Luo community, Mr Odungi Randa also told Taifa Leo that all the elders will meet soon to discuss how to reconcile local politicians.
The meeting will also involve leaders from the community from Nairobi as they are required to unite to give Mr Odinga the easy task of seeking support in other areas.
The essence of the difference between the local politicians was whether the BBI bill had to be amended in parliament before it could be passed.
Siaya Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo said amendments should have been made to the bill and claimed that the 70 constituencies contained in the report were illegal and did not take into account regional equality.
On the other hand, ODM chairman John Mbadi, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Opiyo Wandayi of Ugunja held that the bill should not be amended and named Mabw Orengo and Otiende as treacherous leaders used by opponents to fight Mr Odinga.
On Friday last week riots were also witnessed in the Bar Osimbo area when a helicopter carrying Mabw Orengo, Amollo and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor was pelted with stones and chairs.
This is after tensions between local MP Sam Atandi and his rival Kut Ochogo erupted, with their supporters confronting a rally in the area.
However, Mzee Randa defended Mr Orengo saying he had become Mr Odinga’s general and called on the leaders who crushed him to stop.
“Of all the wars that Mr Odinga has fought, Senator Orengo has been at the forefront. Therefore, it is not true to call him a mole. Those who do that are seeking fame by hanging on to Jakom’s jacket, ”said Mzee Randa.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado has also fueled divisions in the Nyanza area after leaving ODM and has already begun to slander his PDP party in the area.
