The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) recently suffered a big blow in Meru after Friends of Raila (FORA) Deputy patron Gitobu Imanyara officially resigned from the position.
Speaking to the media in Meru town, the Central Imenti MP - who has been the chief representative of Raila in the region - said that he made the decision following divisive politics in ODM.
The legislator added that he is ready to drop his support from the premier if he is not ready to front a concrete agenda for the Meru community ahead of the general elections.
“The resignation is also based on the lack of agenda by the presidential candidate Raila Odinga towards the community. He still remains my friend but the people of Meru and I will only throw their weight behind him if he is ready to pay back,” added Gitobu.
He also noted that many presidential candidates are having talks with the leaders from other communities in a bid to form a powerful coalition that will benefit them after the March 4th polls.
“We are not ready to be treated as the second hand community. We have been escorting people to climb the ladder but this time we don’t want to do it blindly. We will support a presidential aspirant who has a concrete agenda for the Meru People,” he added.
Speaking after consultation with ODM supporters from the county, the legislator added that he is not ready to be dragged by petty politics within FORA.
“Following the political alignment that is being experienced in the country currently, it is clear how the share of the national cake will be distributed and we do not want the Meru community to be sidelined after the general elections,” he lamented.
Gitobu noted that he is spearheading a major meeting at Uhuru stadium in Tigania East to declare their stand on ODM.
He warned that the Prime Minister may lose his support from the community if he is not ready to send a positive message to the community.
“I will take the message to Raila Odinga but if he is not ready to enter into a MoU with the community then he should forget any support ahead of the general election since we will only support a candidate who will set records clear for our benefit,” he explained.
The Imenti Central MP claimed that after the formation of the Alliance Party of Kenya headed by Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, some key politicians who fueled its formation later abandoned him. According to him, this move was astonishing to the community.
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