ODM fines Peter Kaluma and rival for public fighting, bans youth leader

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reprimanded and banned Homa Bay County youth leader Kevin Ouma, who had been charged with murder in January, from holding any elective or appointive party position.

At the same time, the Orange party has fined Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and an aspirant for the constituency’s seat, Washington Ogaga, Sh100,000 each, following the chaotic disturbances during a meeting on November 27, 2016.

The two fought in public at Homa Bay Stadium in scenes characterised by violence, heckling, stone throwing and gunshots before the arrival of party leader Raila Odinga for a public rally.

ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen, in a statement on Friday, said the party’s central committee during its sitting on March 29, 2017, adopted a report of the National Elections Board on the violence at Homa Bay Stadium.

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“The Board interviewed (10) persons who were associated or present or mentioned in connection,” Mr Ong’wen said.

Those implicated, Mr Ong’wen said included Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti, his deputy Hamilton Orata, Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma, Woman Representative Gladys Wanga and Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’.

Others were County youth leader Kevin Ouma, Washington Ogaga, Enos Bolo and Jack Nduru.

“These activities have contravened the ODM code of conduct, which they have pledged to uphold. They are also a threat to the peaceful conduct of party primaries,” Mr Ong’wen said.

He said NEB recommended that Mr Awiti, Mr Magwanga, Mr Kaluma, Ms Wanga, Mr Ogaga and Mr Ouma be severely reprimanded and that they undertake not to perpetrate, sponsor, support or be associated with any acts of violence or disruption before, during or after the forthcoming elections.

However, it was resolved that Mr Ouma be reprimanded and banned from holding any elective or appointive party position.