'Ignore leaders who only care for their stomachs,' ODM blasts its MPs who visited State House

In a statement to the media, ODM Director of Communications Phillip Etale said the legislators' visit to State House did not come as a surprise because some of them were being monitored in the run-up to the visit.

"The visit to State House this morning by a section of ODM Members of Parliament has not come as a surprise to the party and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Movement," the statement reads.

"The party has been monitoring closely the behind-the-scenes activities involving some of them and today was just the climax."

According to ODM, some ODM leaders chose to undermine the party's leadership and go against the will of the people who elected them to their positions.

In the same statement, the opposition party claimed that the "illegitimate administration" had resorted to using stolen money to dupe some leaders in order to thwart ODM's planned countrywide rallies.

"Three months ago, the Azimio la Umoja leadership began rallies to push for the reclamation of its victory from the hands of the illegitimate administration in order to provide the leadership Kenyans want, but all along, we knew the enemy will not sit pretty," the statement adds.

"They have started spending stolen money to hoodwink some of our leaders with the aim of trying to scuttle our activities. Such meetings are aimed at diverting the attention of Kenyans from issues they are faced with, ranging from the high cost of living, unbearable school fees for their children, and corruption."

The party urged Kenyans to ignore the leaders who paid a visit to State House, accusing them of selfishness and being led by their stomachs at the expense of millions of poor Kenyans.

The planned rallies across the country, according to ODM, will go ahead as planned.

"We know that in the quest for legitimate leadership, there are those who will fall by the wayside, and some will be compromised, but the MOVEMENT remains unstoppable," the statement reads. 

 "This is a people’s movement aimed at defending the constitution of the land. History will judge harshly leaders who want to betray Kenyans by accepting handouts to scuttle the activities of the movement," 

Although the meeting's specifics are unknown, the Head of State stated that he held a consultative meeting with the leaders following his recent visit to Luo Nyanza.

President Ruto urged leaders to join hands, foster coexistence, and collaborate in confronting Kenya's challenges in a statement posted on Twitter.

The Tuesday delegation was constituted largely by legislators drawn from Luo Nyanza, among them Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.

Ruto’s meeting with MPs allied to Raila Odinga comes after a similar one with those from President Uhuru’s Jubilee party in January.