African Democratic Institute spells the key role of opposition parties in Africa as serving as a watchdog. That is by holding the government accountable by exposing corruption, nepotism, and the abuse of power among others. They pursue justice upon any deviation from the law or constitution by government.
Orange Democratic Party played that role well, even when President Uhuru Kenyatta was still a Raila’s deputy in the grand coalition government.
Roughly, from the infamous ‘computer error’ where Deputy Prime Minister / Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta attributed the loss of public funds under his watch to a mere computer error.
ODM follower criticized Kenyatta to space and back and they became his critics until the Christmas of 2017 or there about.
They claimed that they were more famous and Kenyatta stole their 2013 and 2017 presidential wins. The 2017 outcome was nullified but ODM backed off from the fresh polls.
Their track record projected that they were still destined to the opposition, so they held a rushed mock swearing on January 30 of 2018.
In march 9 2018, ODM entered a political pact with their arch rival and the deal was sealed with the much hyped ‘Handshake’.
President Uhuru Kenyatta neutralized his loud critics through that handshake. He turned protestors into his sycophantic supporters.
Even Wiper Democratic Movement led by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is has a deal with the president but they are not loud and flip-flopping like ODM.
They are now impeaching to please or as directed by the government or top Kieleweke operatives.
Pundits say ODM is acting overzealous but really confused, a behavior that is common with subordinates.
They are no longer serving as a credible alternative to the regime of the day. They killed competition that would ensure better service delivery and prevent complacency by Kenyatta’s administration.
Lawmakers sponsored by the party are no longer vibrant, they don’t promote or stimulate debates in parliament.
The stalemate surrounding the revenue sharing formula in the senate is now long overdue but the official opposition party cant publicly reject the disputed formula that the government supports.
Since they won the Supreme Court case that saw Kenyatta’s win nullified in 2017, ODM and Raila’s top lieutenants have focused on Baba and not the people.
They only do things that please the system and its owner. EALA Mp Oburu Oginga is on record saying that his brother Raila Odinga will win 2022 presidency because they have ‘the system’.
The party that should champion democracy is not even grooming young people on the values and principles of the party and leadership.
It is Baba, Handshake and BBI, period.
When the vocal Secretary like Edwin Sifuna should be playing the role like that of a shadow minister, he is allegedly leading goons to the home of Migori Speaker.
That is after ODM began plotting impeachment of Migori Governor Okoth Obado. Obado was elected on ODM ticket amid their usual violence and corruption but has always been treated as a Ruto man within the orange party.
Obado is facing corruption and abuse of offices charges just like Kirinyaga County’s Anne Waiguru whom ODM senators saved from impeachment barely about a month ago.
