One of the four MCAs from Gem constituency who recently met Information Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has denied any linkage to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Addressing the press at the Siaya County Assembly Tuesday, Philip Oluoch of North Gem Ward said that he is a political devotee of opposition chief Raila Odinga, body and soul.

"I am here to dispel some unfortunate and laughable rumours and propaganda from my detractors that I have jumped ship to Kenya Kwanza. Those linking me to Kenya Kwanza are daydreamers who should be given the contempt card that they so deserve," Oluoch said.

Accordingly, Oluoch said that Kenya Kwanza leader and president William Ruto is not welcomed to his ward later this month when the Head of State is expected to launch development projects in the constituency.

"As a member of he North Gem Ward the president is not welcome in North Gem. In fact, on Wednesday (tomorrow) I will launch a signature collection drive in my ward to get rid of Ruto from office," Oluoch who is the party leader of the Federal Party of Kenya stated.

According to Gem parliamentarian Elisha Odhiambo, Ruto is expected to launch road projects, digital laboratories, street lights and a technical training institute on July 24 (tentative date).

Last Friday, as was posted by Owalo on his social media pages, Oluoch and three other MCAs, together with MP Elisha met in the minister's office in Nairobi.

"I have this afternoon had a meeting with Gem MP, Hon. Elisha Odhiambo, and 4 elected MCAs from the Constituency," Owalo wrote on his Facebook page, with accompany photographs.

The CS said that their "deliberations focussed on alignment of the constituency’s development programmes to the overall Kenya Kwanza Government’s Development agenda".

Raila's supporters then accused the MCAs for betraying Raila and the larger Azimio la Umoja coalition by failing to participate in the 'Saba Saba' protests.

On his part, Oluoch claimed that it was by chance that he had "bumped" onto both Owalo and Elisha.

"I want to make it lucidly clear that I am a fervent devotee of His Excellency the Right Honorable

Raila Amolo Odinga. I am with Raila for eternity," Oluoch said in an attempt to show his loyalty to the opposition chief. Oluoch alleged that Kenya Kwanza has retrogressive ideologies that he cannot propagate.

The FPK's party leader's sentiments came at a time when the membership of the Siaya County Assembly has mooted over removal of the four MCAs from various Assembly committees as a form of punishment.

The other three MCAs who met Owalo and Elisha were Seth Baraka (East Gem), Brian Anyango (South Gem) and Sylus Madingu (Central Gem). Elisha was elected on an ODM ticket but has since vowed to cooperate with the current regime for the sake of what he calls development.

Last Sunday, Baraka, Madingu and Anyango said that their intention of meeting Elisha was to foster unity amongst elected leaders, especially between the MP and Siaya governor James Orengo - who have been on a war path. "We have started a journey of ensuring unity in Gem.

There is no way we are working with the governor (Orengo) while down at the constituency level our MP is having wars with him," Baraka stated.

Baraka had pointed out that MCAs from Gem have endured a lot of criticism as to why they were claiming to be supporting Orengo when their MP was allegedly fighting him.

"We are tired of these fights but we apologize if at all we have done anything contrary. For the sake of unity we have given our MP a condition to get to the governor," Baraka said, urging tolerance.

Baraka added that in President William Ruto's planned tour of Gem, a sh60 million project - Gamba Technical Training Institute - which is within his Ward is set to be launched.

Accordingly, he explained, he, as the area MCA, needed to talk with the MP. Madingu observed that there has been duplication of funding for projects simply because the he (the MCA) is not talking with the MP.

"There are roads allocated money by the county government of Siaya yet there is also allocation by the office of the MP.

The double allocations are happening because leaders are not talking and it should stop," Madingu stated.

Madingu wants the political fights to end to ensure service delivery to the people.

On his part, MCA Anyango stressed that Elisha deserves respect because he is the elected area MP and that despite the hullabaloo, their allegiance remain to ODM boss Raila.

Apparently, Oluoch has walked away from his three colleagues who have continued to receive condemnation on social media and Siaya county's WhatsApp groups.

MP Elisha who spoke at Owila Church of Christ in Africa in Central Gem on Sunday, explained that him too is committed to fostering unity in Gem and Siaya at large.

"Leadership is about creating solutions. Yesterday, in the spirit of reconciliation, I reached out to the governor (Orengo) but we did not talk because I think he was busy," Elisha said.

Elisha called on all the residents of Gem constitution to come out and welcome President Ruto and receive his goodies when he finally arrives. Ends...