Wetang’ula to ODM: Prepare for a Messy Divorce and Casualties

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula has vowed to fight attempts by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to remove him as Senate Minority Leader.

Speaking in the Senate, the Ford Kenya leader termed the ouster attempts by ODM as mischievous and warned the Raila-led party to brace themselves for what he described as a messy divorce and casualties.

“I want to say this, Mr. Speaker: If anybody wants a divorce, it would be messy, it would be noisy, it would be unhelpful, it would not be easy, it would have casualties,” he said.

“I want to tell my colleagues in ODM for avoidance of any confusion that for the last two presidential elections, we have supported a candidate fronted by ODM; and that is the reason they have a bigger number in both Houses than their partner parties.”

A letter to oust Wetang’ula was presented to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka by ODM Senators on Thursday. 20 out of 27 Senators allied to Nasa signed in favour of his removal, surpassing the required two thirds majority by two.

Speaker Lusaka approved Wetangula’s removal, but suspended the move until the opposition coalition submits the name of their new Minority Leader.

“If anybody wants to play games, Mr Speaker, then anybody can play games; and many of us are good at playing games. I represent people; nobody can belittle me in this House. Nobody has a right to play games behind my back; let them be frontal and we will fight Omundu Khumundu; it is as simple as that Mr Speaker.”

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ said the decision to purge Wetangula was informed by the need for a “better leader” in the Senate.

“We have removed Wetangula as the Minority Leader; not because he has not led us well, but because we think there are people who can lead us better,” said Kajwang.