ODM vows to expel MPs Dori, Jumwa and six MCAs

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has vowed to expel party rebels for gross misconduct.   

The party says the move is aimed at enhancing discipline and restoring dignity in the party.

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday said the party will hold a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting to ratify the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to expel the rebels.

The renegades, according to the party, are MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Suleiman Dori (Msambweni) and six ward representatives.

The ward representatives are; Dan Were, Evans Marieba, Julius Gaya, Geoffrey Juma and Paul Wamunga from Homa Bay as well as Ms Immaculate Adhiambo from Busia County.

Mr Sifuna said after the NGC meeting, the party will notify the Registrar of Political Parties for further action.

DISCPLINARY COMMITTEE

“The notification to the Registrar of Political Parties will come after the ratification of the NEC decision by the Party’s NGC which meets this month,” Mr Sifuna said on Wednesday.

The party’s disciplinary committee chairman Fred Athuok said they were in agreement that the culprits had contravened the laws governing political parties as well as the ODM constitution.

“Expulsion is a rigorous process and the party must be satisfied that the offenses meet the threshold for dismissal. NGC will be convened shortly to ratify the NEC resolutions,” Mr Athuok told Nation.

Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori have been accused of supporting Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.    

Last week, Dr Ruto distanced himself from any campaigns geared towards 2022 elections.

Mr Athuok said ODM had not merged with Jubilee but was only cooperating towards ensuring peace and development in the country.

RATIFY EXPULSION

“Handshake is about uniting Kenyans and not even about merging parties. Endorsements for 2022 are premature and is not our agenda for now,” he said. 

Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori did not respond to the party's move to convene an NGC to ratify their expulsion when reached on phone.

Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu told Nation that they ‘shall follow due process in addressing underlying issues’ when the party decision on expulsion of various leaders reaches their desk.

“Once a political party finalises all the required processes and there is no contest by the accused parties, it is then brought to our attention,” Ms Nderitu said.

PARTY CONSTITUTION

She added: “Once it reaches our desk we verify whether they followed their constitution and the law. If we are satisfied they complied with their constitution and all the legal provisions, we shall strike off their (rebels') names from the political parties register and inform the IEBC they are no longer members of their respective parties.”

The IEBC will then write to the speakers of different parliaments to declare the seats vacant.

While attending a fund raiser in Busia County last week, Mr Sifuna warned that they will never allow rebels to thrive in the party.

“Party discipline is important and we must follow law of the land and that of the party,” Mr Sifuna, who likened ‘indiscipline’ against ODM to blasphemy, said.

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgivable. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is blasphemy,” he said.

He added: “As the ODM secretary-general, I will ensure that nobody breaks our rules and stays in the party.”