Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday put legislators who had publicly declared support for Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential race on notice.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, the Opposition leader stated that his members were free to align themselves how they saw fit up to a time the party would reign them back in for the next election cycle.
"ODM is therefore not on the campaign trail for 2022 and is not threatened those who have started campaigns. The party will also not gag its members in their manoeuvres.
"However, when the legally stipulated campaign period comes, ODM will whip all its members and rally them behind its candidate," the statement read in part.
[caption caption="Raila Odinga"]
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The ODM leader dispelled the notion that he had called for a party retreat to counter Ruto's effect on his party members.
"The upcoming joint retreat of ODM’s Parliamentary Group and the National Executive Committee was agreed on at the party’s last meeting in Naivasha on 8th May 2018.
"The retreat is therefore not a product of panic or a reaction to any recent political developments as reported in a section of the media," he sought to clarify.
He further stated that the party was singularly focused on ensuring that proposed reforms contained in the Building Bridges Initiative are realised as a way to a stable nation that provides required services to citizens.
Earlier in June, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna affirmed that MPs who have expressed support for the DP will be punished.
Sifuna maintained that ODM, through its appropriate, organs will consider disciplinary action against the members should they persist in their contempt of party resolutions and directions.
[caption caption="ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna"]
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“It is shocking indeed that some of those engaged in these premature campaigns for Ruto are members of the Party’s NEC who are expected to abide by its decisions,” Sifuna stated.
