Obado worms his way out of ODM impeachment process

Migori Governor Okoth Obado seems to have gotten himself off the hook following the intervention of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

Obado was facing an impeachment after he was arrested and charged with corruption alongside four members of his family.

Efforts to table the impeachment motion have faced violent disruptions, which may have pushed ODM party leadership to change tact.

Migori County Assembly Majority Leader Ken Ooro yesterday told People Daily that the impeachment was no longer a priority.

“I don’t think the impeachment motion is on our agenda right now. You saw what our party leader said and I think for now we are focusing on other issues,” Ooro.

The Ward Representative was making reference to statements by Raila at the weekend that he would mediate political conflicts in Migori.

Obado was among politicians who attended a meeting at Raila’s  Bondo  home during a visit by the Kikuyu Council of Elders where he accused some forces of misleading the ODM boss about his political associations.

During the event at which Obado spoke, the governor distanced himself from Deputy President William Ruto.

“I hear people have been telling  Jakom (Raila) that I am campaigning for Ruto. How can I do so when I am an ODM life member,” said the governor.

Deliberating on issue

ODM national chairman John Mbadi said the party was still deliberating on the Obado issue.

“We will issue a statement in two days over the matter but for now we are still engaged in meetings and cannot give out the details yet”.

Mbadi’s statement contradicted his earlier stand in which announced that the impeachment process had been finalised awaiting its tabling on the floor of the House.

“The reason as to why we have the delay is for a simple reason, it’s a legal process of which our lawyer is looking into.

There are details that he must include and that will take some little more time,” he said.

 Raila shared a platform with Obado for the first time since his impeachment plan was announced at the burial of the  late Peter Sirawa, the father of Awendo MP Walter Awino.

While addressing the mourners however, Raila said there was need to reconcile the warring factions in the county.

Supporting the ouster

 Raila said: “There are so many problems here in Migori and I want to ask for your permission to solve them. Let me see by a show of hands those who agree with that?.”

A day later, Obado joined Raila and other leaders from Luo Nyanza in hosting a delegation from central Kenya at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, the home of the late doyen of multiparty politics Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in Bondo, Siaya county where he was also given an opportunity to address the gathering.

 Ooro said they will await a new party  position following Raila’s announcement at the funeral. 

“It was a party position for the governor to be impeached and we were only following the orders.

But you heard what Raila said which of course will change the plans and that is why we just have to wait for communication,” said Oroo.

 The assembly had been divided into two opposing camps with the majority being against Obado ouster.

Those who supported the ouster were  North Kanyamkago MCA George Omamba, who is the Deputy Speaker while  Kaler MCA Thomas Akungo, who was elected on an ODM ticket, was leading the opposing camp.

Mbadi had accused Obado of influencing the MCAs against his impeachment by dishing out cash, a claim that the governor denied.

“Migori MCAs are very mature and those who were claiming that i was bribing them not to impeach me are simply misleading the public,” said Obado then.

Several leaders In Nyanza led by former MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike), Dalmas Otieno (Rongo) and Martin Ogindo (Rangwe) also came to the defence of Obado and blamed the party for practicing selective justice.

Obado has also cried foul after his party sanctioned an impeachment motion against him, saying a court matter was being used to settle political scores.

“The much I know is that I was arrested on Wednesday and by Sunday, a meeting had been called.

I don’t want to regard that as a party meeting but I want say, possibly, and most likely that was a meeting of between one or two people having some scores to settle with me and saw a perfect opportunity when I was at my lowest level to now clear with me once and for all,” Obado said.