ODM's John Mbadi, Nicholas Gumbo war of words escalates

A war of words has intensified between two ODM MPs and allies of CORD leader Raila Odinga.

ODM chairman John Mbadi is accusing Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Nicholas Gumbo of abetting corruption in the Jubilee government.

Mbadi, who is the Suba MP, claims his Rarieda counterpart’s continued silence on corruption allegations within President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government implies he was sympathetic to Jubilee.

Speaking during a local radio morning show Friday, Mbadi, however, dismissed claims he had personal differences with Gumbo.

“Being the chairman of PAC, Gumbo is the official spokesperson of the committee and his voice has a lot of weight when it comes to accountability issues. Surprisingly, he has chosen to avoid talking about these issues,” said Mbadi.

But Gumbo accuses Mbadi of plotting to scuttle his 2017 bid for the Siaya gubernatorial seat.

“He is using his position as a party appointee to frustrate my political ambitions. Nobody elected him as the party chairman and he should know he will not succeed in his schemes,” said Gumbo.

He called on Mbadi to resign, saying his party appointment was illegitimate. He says Mbadi has been making numerous trips to Siaya County allegedly to antagonise local politicians.

The two ODM legislators have not been in good terms since Gumbo secured the PAC chairmanship. Their differences have gone public, with Gumbo who has since declared his interest in Siaya County gubernatorial seat, accusing Mbadi of meddling in Siaya County politics.

Gumbo recently accused Mbadi of being behind the discontent within ODM. He claimed the Suba MP was incompetent and could not lead the Orange party.

“Mbadi is used to gifts and he has thrived on that in his political career. No one even elected him the ODM chairman in the first place,” said Gumbo at a recent rally in Siaya County.

Mbadi Friday said he was legitimately in office and reiterated his concerns over Gumbo’s alleged laxity in fighting graft as head of PAC.