ODM summons Kidero and rebels
What you need to know:
- Those summoned, he explained, would be expected to explain why they are supporting rival candidates for the Homa Bay County senate by-election scheduled for February 12.
- National chairman John Mbadi alleged that one candidate was working with election officials to deny his party victory in the election.
ODM’s disciplinary committee has summoned Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and two MPs for supporting candidates from rival parties in the Homa Bay senatorial race.
Committee chairman Fred Athuok said they had already served the three with letters asking them to appear before the disciplinary panel today to explain why they are supporting ODM rival parties’ candidates in the by-election.
Karachuonyo MP James Rege and Rangwe MP George Oner are the lawmakers on the spot.
“We have already sent the summons to the concerned individuals and we expect them to appear before our panel without fail,” Mr Athuok told journalists in Bondo Tuesday.
He said the committee would use the summons as a means to restore order within the party.
The chairman warned that should they fail to appear before the committee, they would be risking expulsion from the party, leading to fresh elections being held in their constituencies.
“As a disciplinary committee, we are mandated to ensure that all party members adhere to the doctrines of ODM. This is not a witch-hunt against party members,” said Mr Athuok.
RIGGING CLAIMS
Those summoned, he explained, would be expected to explain why they are supporting rival candidates for the Homa Bay County senate by-election scheduled for February 12.
Meanwhile, ODM has warned of a plot to rig the Homa Bay by-election.
National chairman John Mbadi alleged that one candidate was working with election officials to deny his party victory in the election.
“We are aware that some IEBC officials from the county and the police have been approached to effect such machinations,” said Mr Mbadi.
Speaking in Ruma Kaksingiri Ward Tuesday, Mr Mbadi warned that Homa Bay residents would not allow anyone to mess up the election.
He questioned why the party was only given 10 days to carry out nominations yet the Kajiado Central parliamentary by-election process was allowed 30 days.
The MP’s sentiments were supported by the county’s women representative Gladys Wanga who urged the people of Homa Bay to be vigilant.
She warned IEBC officials that any attempt to “rig elections would be met with the wrath it deserves.”
