We are Ready to Ditch Handshake with Jubilee – Orengo

A section of ODM lawmakers led by Siaya Senator James Orengo have threatened to ditch the handshake if some members of the Jubilee Party continue frustrating the BBI agenda between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.

Speaking at a funeral service in Siaya County on Saturday, Orengo claimed that the Deputy President was using his allies to frustrate the handshake and the milestones achieved thanks to the partnership between Uhuru and Raila.

Addressing President Kenyatta, Orengo urged him to take necessary action and tame his deputy whom he claims constantly undermines his boss the president.

“As ODM, we made a choice to support and work with the government. But we will only do so when they are on the right track. If they keep on provoking us, then we are ready to go to the trenches for the sake of Kenyans who are looking up to us.

“The deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has a permanent seat in the Cabinet and the Constitution requires the Cabinet to act collectively. The time has come for him to make a choice just like the first vice president Jaramogi Oginga Odinga did when he had an ideological difference with President Jomo Kenyatta,” he said as quoted by a local daily.

Orengo’s sentiment was echoed by other leaders who noted that DP Ruto should not blame Raila for Jubilee’s failure as he is not in government.