National Assembly Minority Whip and Suba East MP, Junet Mohammed, has written to Speaker Justin Muturi communicating that ODM intends to kick out 16 members of NASA affiliate parties from parliamentary committees.
The decision has been seen as a move to discourage rebellion within the coalition.
“Pursuant to the relevant standing orders, I wish to withdraw the following members from various committees” read the letter.
The lawmakers facing the chopping board are Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Justus Kizito (Shinyalu), Gideon Mulyungi (Mwingi Central), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Abdullswamad Sheriff (Mvita), Catherine Wabilianga (Bungoma), and Mohammed Lokiru (Turkana East).
Others include Bunyasi Sakwa (Nambale), Charles Gimose (Hamisi), Silvance Osoro (South Mugirango), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), James Mukwe (Kabuchai), Makali Muli (Kitui Central), Alfred Sambu (Webuye East), and TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka)
The action has generated backlash from the NASA affiliate parties, with the leaders terming it mischievous and undemocratic.
Amani National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Barrack Muluka complained, “Mischievous young men in ODM and others around Raila Odinga are drunk with power. They think they can use Raila’s name to engage in undemocratic processes and dub them NASA decisions.”
Relationships within the coalition have faced challenges ever since members accused ODM of sidelining them from the handshake agreement between party leader Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The differences were further fueled by the divergent opinion from members concerning the Finance Bill 2018 where they defied Odinga's advice to back the presidents' memorandum.
ANC and Ford Kenya party officials have warned that if the frustrations continue, they will have no choice but to exit the coalition.
