Don't sideline MP Omondi for working with state – Suba elders tell ODM

Suba Council of Elders has urged ODM leader Raila Odinga to remain neutral and work with both the current MP Caroli Omondi and nominated MP John Mbadi.

They also want Raila to focus on his ambition to become the African Union Commission chairman.

Last Sunday, Raila held a series of rallies in the constituency where he endorsed Mbadi for the 2027 MP seat.

Raila also castigated Omondi for working closely with the government without his consent.

Omondi was elected on the ODM ticket in the 2022 general election.

In a press statement read on behalf of the elders by their coordinator Joab Ikawa, the elders asked Raila to focus on his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

“Suba council of elders wish Raila success in his quest to become the next chairman of AUC. We urge him to focus on continental campaigns,” Ikawa said.

Speaking to journalists in Sindo town on Saturday, the elders argued that Raila had acquired the stature of an international politician.

They directed their MP Omondi to continue working closely with President Ruto to promote development projects in the constituency.

“Omondi is still in ODM and the fact that he works closely with the Kenya Kwanza government doesn’t warrant him to be sidelined. Suba residents want development and that’s why we elected the MP,” he said.

According to the elder’s chairman in Kaksingri region Nelson Ounga, it is needless for Raila to give Suba South residents direction on who to elect their next MP.

“Both Mbadi and Omondi are our sons and it’s upon the residents to decide the person they want to lead them. Let the residents be allowed to elect a leader of their choice come the next election,” Ounga said.

The elders called for peace to enable the implementation of development projects in the constituency.

Council member Samuel Angugo argued that too much politics will deter the implementation of development projects in the area.

 “We want peace to prevail in Suba South to enable us to get the development projects we deserve. Omondi should be given time to serve the people,” Angugo said.

The senior citizens hailed Omondi for his cooperation with the government which had seen implementation of various development projects.

The projects include the ongoing tarmacking of the 74km Sori-Magunga-Sindo- Mbita road worth Sh2.8 billion.

There is also rehabilitation of the Sindo-Nyagwethe- Nyandiwa-Sori road at Sh115 million and other roads.

Others are the installation of Wi-Fi at Magunga and Nyandiwa markets, the connection of the constituency to the National fibre optic, and electricity connectivity among other projects.