ODM not an ethnic party, Oparanya tells MPs to stop washing 'dirty linen' in public

ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya has asked feuding party MPs to stop washing their 'dirty linen' in public.

The Kakamega governor is unhappy with the latest tiff in the party where some MPs have differed with Siaya Senator James Orengo over the creation of 70 new constituencies.

"ODM is not a Luo party. This is a national party. It should not be reduced to an ethnic party. We should call for an urgent National Executive Council meeting to resolve our concerns," said Oparanya

He said if some MPs have issues with ODM, they should use internal party structures.

"We have effective party structures where such issues can be resolved easily without having to trade barbs in public,"  Oparanya said.

Oparanya’s sentiments come amid reports of a plot to ouster Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo as the vice-chairperson of the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).

The Senior Counsel (SC), who appears to have rattled a number of Raila Odinga-led ODM party members not comfortable with his forth-right stands.

Minority whip Junet Mohammed said Amollo will be replaced by Ruaraka MP T.J Kajwang.

Amollo had on his Twitter handle revealed of the plot saying, “The vicissitudes of politics. So, The Schemers want me out of JLAC. I Will Take it in grace and stride”.

But Oparanya while addressing the press in Kisumu on Tuesday afternoon said the MPs should be sober while debating about the new constituencies.

"It defies logic and taste that only three constituencies can be added in Nyanza. And Western only five. These are a drop in the ocean," he said.

Oparanya said if the matter is not well addressed it will divide the country and that it ought to be resolved with sensitivity and urgency.

In Western, Bungoma County got three additional constituencies while Kakamega County got two.