Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has refuted claims that its party leader Raila Odinga has neglected the western region, despite being one of his strongholds.
In a statement to newsrooms, ODM’s director of communications Philip Etale on Monday, June 7, 2021, said that Odinga is a national leader and will support growth in all parts of the country.
Etale downplayed allegations that the former Premier is only focusing on Nyanza Region. He said that the national government was in charge of the developments and Not Odinga as purported.
The rebuttal comes days after Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala and Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali criticized Raila for ‘abandoning’ the western region. ODM said that was farther from the truth.
“Secondly, the Kisumu Port is not a local project, it is both regional and national….Kisumu has been and continues to be regional Hub since the colonial days..” read part of the statement. ODM has contended that it would have been made a regional hub if Kakamega lied near Lake Victoria.
Kisumu County was the host of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations which were held at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium. The event was graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Burundi’s president Évariste Ndayishimiye, deputy president William Ruto, ODM’s Raila Odinga among other local and international dignitaries.
