ODM party through its party chairman John Mbadi has come out to clear the air on Turkana governor Josphat Nanok’s change of political support.
Mbadi told the press that the governor’s support for Deputy President William Ruto Did not come as a surprise to the party since the governor had stopped participating in ODM’s party affairs a long time ago.
He observed that it was just a matter of when he will make his political move and not if. In a rather interesting turn of event, the party termed Nanok’s move as his democratic right and that the party will not take any action against him.
The move is seen as an evasion of a similar embarrassment the party got itself into after deciding to whip embattled Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who had also jumped ship from ODM to Ruto’s camp.
“Respect for party leadership, its organs and decisions make a strong party. The Political Parties Act is clear on the running and management of political parties (and recommends) discipline among members,” said Mbadi earlier on when ejecting Aisha on March.
The move by ODM to assume Nanok’s defection as democratic is seen by many as sarcastic since the defection falls on the same meter with Aisha’s who was rather disciplined harshly.
“There is nothing new that has happened, some of the people serving their second and final term are looking for future political survival. Some want to be remembered through appointments in government,” Mr Mbadi said concerning Nanok.
Surprisingly, Minority Whip in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed also said it was within the governor’s democratic right to associate and even make a political movement.
“Even as he moves, it is on record and will remain in history that he served for two terms as a governor for Turkana in an ODM party ticket,” Mr Junet said.
During Ruto’s recent visit to Turkana, Nanok declared his full support for the Deputy President said that he was ready to work with all leaders from the Rift Valley in support of Ruto
“As 14 governors from Rift Valley, we are working on a plan to fully support the Deputy President and form the next government because the whole country is focusing on Rift Valley to produce the next president. As Turkana people, we want to be part of that government. I will not accept to be outside government again,” Mr Nanok, the ODM vice-chairman, said.
Rift Valley kuongoza kenya😁😁😁sir with due respect kenya has other counties as well after 24 yrs of moi again you say RValley😏
— Amakanji Thomas (@AmakanjiThomas) May 11, 2019
Josphat Nanok has the right to support anyone or anything he wants. What he doesn't have is the right to be stupid. There is no country called "Rift Valley" and there will be no "President of Rift Valley in 2022." Patriots are going to liberate Kenya INCLUDING the Rift Valley. https://t.co/NHFsBhb61a
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) May 12, 2019