Migori Deputy Governor Nelson Mahanga addresses members of the public in Ntimaru on March 5, 2021. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]
Migori Deputy Governor Nelson Mahanga has threatened to lead the Kuria community out of ODM after the party failed to champion their interests in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Mahanga cited the move to deny the community their own county government or an extra constituency as some reason that will influence their voting pattern in the next poll.
Speaking in Ntimaru during evaluation and public engagement on CDF projects over the weekend, Mahanga said the Kuria community was elaborately populated, thus seeking services in Migori headquarters was inappropriate.
"We must have a reason to support BBI. We will not fear saying our problems. Is 35 per cent allocation the only good thing in BBI?" paused Mahanga.
READ MORE
Crunch time as ODM goes to polls amid factional wrangles
ODM faces tense grassroots elections in Nairobi
US envoy exits, praised by Ruto but censured by State critics
ODM intensifies bid to strengthen party amid fresh sibling rivalry
He said they wanted five per cent of the 35 per cent devolved funds to be given directly to constituencies to assist areas like Kuria.
“Our community was blocked from negotiating for what they wanted, it would be better if 5 per cent is directly channelled to every constituency without necessarily being taken to the county assembly,” he said.
Mahanga, who is the most senior ODM politician from Kuria said BBI failed to capture their wishes at the initial stage hence will not guarantee them inclusivity despite increased allocation to the counties.
Kuria East MP Maisori Kitayama who is an ally to Deputy President William Ruto, has said he will campaign against the proposed amendments.
The legislator told off leaders from the community supporting BBI for being ungrateful to Ruto who he said initiated several development projects in the region.
Kurians know there is nothing for us in BBI, we were outsmarted. We asked for an extra constituency but did not get," said Kitayama.
The legislator also took a swipe at ODM leader Raila Odinga for faulting the wheelbarrow politics, saying the former PM should appreciate the excellent work the deputy president is doing.
He said as a hustler team; they are committed to involving Kenyans from the grassroots to the national level in line with its inclusivity ideology.
