Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said on Sunday that Raila Odinga taught him to speak out. He used that lesson to defend his decision to attend the late former Prime Minister's first death anniversary. The October 15 commemoration took place at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, The Standard reported.
Wandayi said he was advised not to attend. He went anyway because, as a leader from Siaya, he wanted to face opposition leaders in person. He did not want them to dominate the political conversation at the event. He also accused leaders opposed to President William Ruto's broad-based government of turning the memorial into an opposition rally. "I was taught politics by Baba Raila Odinga that whenever you have an opinion, you must speak out on any issue," he said.
Wandayi said he came ready to engage the rival camp. He claimed its members failed to achieve what they came for and left. He insisted that Siaya remains a stronghold of the President and of ODM under party leader Senator Oburu Oginga. "We are his foot soldiers," he said of Ruto.
The Standard reported that the memorial exposed a split within ODM. The Odinga family and the party ran separate programmes. The family set up a national steering committee, while ODM held month-long Mwezi wa Baba activities across the country. At Migwena, rival supporters traded slogans and groups of youths disrupted proceedings. The family had asked attendees to keep partisan politics out.
Part of ODM backs the broad-based arrangement with Ruto. Others, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, want the party back in opposition. Nairobi Wire reported that Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Secretary General Catherine Omanyo want a formal alliance. It would guarantee ODM 50 percent of government positions.
Wandayi has been campaigning in the region. On October 31 in Khalaba Village, Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County, he challenged the United Opposition to name its presidential candidate, The Star reported. He said its leaders lack development achievements to show voters. While commissioning a last-mile electricity project, he announced KSh 165 million to connect 4,000 households in Matungu. The sum is part of KSh 2.5 billion set aside for connections across Kakamega this financial year. He urged residents to back Ruto's re-election.
Pro-Ruto voices from Raila's former camp are growing louder. Political activist Kasmuel McOure said that his loyalty to Raila has now been transferred to Ruto. "Support for President Ruto must be unconditional," he said, according to Nairobi Wire.