ODM leaders in Kwale County have hit back at Kenyan Kwanzaa MPs who attacked ODM leader Raila Odinga for allegedly insulting Governor Fatuma Atchani.
Last week, Raila, who was on a beach tour for her party's mass registration drive in a bid to gain popularity, was accused of undermining women's leadership.
Kwale ODM members strongly denied the allegations, insisting that Raila had not mentioned anyone.
Kwale ODM Deputy Chairman Shaban Lucchesi has slammed the MPs for spreading propaganda against Raila.
Mr Lucchesi said he had no intention of harming Mr Raila and was trying to warn ODM members not to shirk their responsibilities.
“There was no malice in what Ms. Laila said. Unfortunately, people are implying something else,” he said.
Mr Lucchesi said the Kwale ODM party remained strong and would not fall into intimidation.
He said he was ready for a legal battle and would defend Raila and the party to the end.
“They gave us a seven-day ultimatum: OK, we'll see you in court,” he said.
Lucchesi said ODM would continue to play the role of an opposition party and keep the government of the day in check.
He said there are many issues affecting the people of Kwale but neither the national government nor the county government is listening.
Lucchesi said the county faces numerous challenges, including persistent land injustice, human-wildlife conflict, mining, drought, and food and water shortages.
He said it was petty for Kenyan Kwanzaa MPs to collude against Raila over unconfirmed allegations, but the same cannot be done to address issues affecting ordinary citizens.
Mr Lucchesi said so many injustices were happening to Kwale residents but none of the leaders came to their rescue.
He said Kenya's Kwanzaa lawmakers have forgotten their mission and are involved in unrelated issues to the detriment of Kwale residents.
“We elected these councilors so they could represent us and bring about development, but unfortunately that's not what they're doing,” he said.
Lucchesi added that the lawmakers had betrayed the people of Kwale and the Constitution.
Kwale ODM Vice-Chairman urged Kwanzaa leaders in Kenya to remember themselves, walk the right path, stop being someone's puppets and serve the common people passionately.
He said leaders should pay tribute to Raila, who has been instrumental in nurturing the political careers of many politicians and has actively contributed to the growth of the country.
Kwale ODM Youth Chairman Kasim Kama also criticized the reaction to the ineffectiveness of Kenyan Kwanzaa MPs.
He said leaders should focus on empowering young people, creating jobs and fighting poverty instead of engaging in wars of words.
Mr Kama said MPs need to practice their oversight and representative roles and avoid mere politics.
He said leaders must shift their energies to support development and address the challenges facing the Kwale people.
Last week, Kwale Kenya Kwanzaa MPs led by Matuga MP Kasim Tandaza demanded an apology from Raila for insulting Kwale leaders.
MPs also pledged a tough campaign to root out ODM parties in the region.
However, Kwale ODM chairman Hassan Mwanyoha said the party is still alive and is more popular than any other political party in the county.
He said ODM would regain all seats lost in Kwale in 2027.
