Itumbi, Etale Fight Over Aisha’s “Decision to Rejoin ODM”

State House Digital Director of Communications Dennis Itumbi has denied claims by the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) that Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa has ditched Deputy President William Ruto’s camp.

A tweet by ODM Director of Communication Philip Etale claimed that Aisha, after meeting ODM Leader Raila Odinga, declared that she will “vigorously campaign for Bernard Okoth Imran for the Kibra Parliamentary Seat”.

According to Etale, Jumwa had reached the decision after “attending an ODM meeting on Tuesday at the County Hall in Nairobi”.

“Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa today officially ditched Team Tangatanga and vowed to vigorously campaign for Bernard Okoth Imran for the Kibra Parliamentary Seat. She attended the party’s Parliamentary Group meeting at County Hall chaired by Party Leader H.E. Raila Odinga. Imran was also introduced to the members,” tweeted Etale.

Itumbi rubbished the Etale’s claims saying it was Raila who paid a courtesy call on Aisha Jumwa in her Parliamentary Service Office and that she did not attend the party’s meeting.

“Raila Odinga merely paid a courtesy call on Aisha Jumwa in her Parliamentary Service Commission Office. This was after he attended the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting that Aisha did not attend!” Itumbi posted on Facebook.

In reply to Itumbi’s post, Etale said: “Chief, you must be living in utopia. Why are you panicking? Has your boss called you to post this… The truth is, Aisha attended the PG meeting like any other party legislator. She then said she will support Imran”.

In a press statement posted on Facebook, ODM said Raila led a meeting of members of the party’s Parliamentary Group today at County Hall within Parliament.

It added that the legislators unanimously agreed to support its flagbearer Mr. Bernard Otieno Okoth Imran in the November 7 Kibra Constituency by-election.

According to ODM, Minority Leader Hon. John Mbadi and Minority Whip Hon. Junet Mohammed agreed to support Imran’s campaign in Kibra in kind and by going to the ground to drum up the support for him.