Pioneer Siaya governor, Cornel Rasanga has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to sever links with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing ODM’s partner in the broad-based government of frustrating former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
Rasanga at the same time threatened to mobilise thousands of Siaya residents to march and occupy the property in dispute in Nairobi, adding that they cannot afford to keep quiet as one of their sons is being harassed.
Addressing a press conference at his Segere rural home in Siaya county, Rasanga said Tuju acquired his property through hard work and as a local investor, must be cushioned from harassment.
“The war against Tuju is a war against Siaya residents. He has invested and employed people,” said the former governor who accused unnamed senior individuals of attempting to dispossess the former cabinet secretary of his property.
Rasanga challenged top ODM officials and leaders from Siaya county to urgently review their stand over the broad-based government and support to president Ruto if no action will be taken to stop the harassment.
“As an individual, I have stopped supporting the broad-based government and I am urging my supporters and all ODM supporters’ country wide to do the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rasanga called on the warring parties within the ODM to give dialogue a chance in a bid to quell divisions.
He called for the appointment of eminent persons such as retired Kisumu Catholic archbishop, Zachaeus Okoth and retired Maseno West Anglican bishop, Joseph Otieno Wasonga to lead the mediation process between Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi groups.
The former governor said ODM must not allow itself to be swallowed by UDA and supported calls that the party field a presidential candidate during the next General Election.
By Philip Onyango
