Wetangula confesses how Raila bullied them in NASA
'Raila messed me'
Speaking during an interview with the Nation, Mr. Wetangula opened up on an array of controversial issues in NASA including his ouster as the Senate minority leader, betrayal and boycotting the October 26, 2018, fresh presidential election.
According to the Ford Kenya Party leader, the decision to pull out from the fresh presidential election was one that was not agreeable to all members of the Opposition.
“It was not exhaustively discussed by the summit and so we reluctantly agreed to it,” he was quoted by the Nation as saying.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the Supreme Court nullified the win of president Uhuru Kenyatta during the August 8 General Election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ws directed to hold another presidential poll.
Raila swearing-in
Mr. Wetangula divulged that Odinga bulldozed his way in numerous matters including his controversial swearing-in ceremony as the People’s President.
He noted that the former Prime Minister undermined the Summit by giving his ODM people full authority to conduct the planning.
The Senator added that despite NASA’s earlier agreement to have Siaya Senator James Orengo, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and Nambale MP Sakwa Bunyasi plan the swearing-in, Mr. Odinga brought in a technical team of ODM members led by Economist David Ndii to handle the matter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The committee was prominently ODM. It had Mr. Odinga’s lawyers, strategists, advisors, and party members. We had reached a point where issues were first discussed by this group agreed upon and the summit only called in to ratify the decision. This is not the best way of running a coalition,” Wetangula mentioned.
Wetangula removed as Senate minority leader
The Ford Kenya party leader also claimed that his removal from the Senate leadership was orchestrated by Mr. Odinga through a series of meetings.
"I know for a fact that nothing happens in the rank and file of ODM without the knowledge, sanction or even approval of its leader,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He further alleged that Mr. Orengo was also part of the ploy stating that there was no difference between the senior counsel and Mr. Odinga.
"There is no difference between the two. I was thoroughly pained when, during the reconciliation meeting at Panafric Hotel, ODM legislators humiliated and insulted me in the full view of their leader. Mr. Odinga just sat there, listened to it all, and in the end, only asked that we go for a retreat.
From his body language and the statements made in that meeting, I concluded that the events of my removal had been orchestrated and rehearsed in his presence,” he said.
Wetangula highlighted that he had no ill-feelings towards anybody but he had now broken ranks with Mr. Odinga and was focused to rally his community members behind me.
"I have a future to plan and people are looking up to me for leadership. My 10-year support for Mr. Odinga has left me a stranger in the palace.”
ADVERTISEMENT
He further dismissed allegations that he was secretly working with President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee party.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke