The stage is set for a confrontation between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Ford Kenya supporters at a meeting convened by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula this weekend.

Yesterday, the Orange party warned its elected leaders of dire consequences if they attend the meeting, to be held at Wetang’ula’s residence in Bungoma county.

In a letter signed by the orange party’s Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen, ODM leaders were asked to keep off the meeting failure to which they will be deemed to have resigned. The letter was directed to ODN elected leaders from Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Vihiga counties.

“The ODM party has been informed of an informal invitation to some of our members by the leader of Ford -Kenya party on June 3 whose agenda is unknown to us,’’ he wrote in a terse statement.

”I am instructed by the party leadership to instruct you that attendance of such a meeting would undermine ODM’s article 12(1) c. So, ODM allies who attends would be considered to have resigned.’’

ODM’s Communication Director, Philip Etale, confirmed that Ongwen’s letter was valid and warned that any members who defy the directive will face the consequences as per the party’s constitution.

But contacted, Ford Kenya Organising Secretary Chris Mandu Mandu, a close to Wetang’ula, downplayed the matter, saying it was about fostering Luyia unity.

“Yes, the Speaker has called the meeting but the date is yet to be confirmed. It is a continuation of the meetings he has been holding with leaders from the community irrespective of their parties to promote Luyia unity, I don’t know why they are reading so much into this yet freedom of association is enshrined in our constitution,” said Mandu Mandu.