The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Tuesday, March 7, announced the de-whipping of eleven leaders who declared their interest in working with President William Ruto.
In a meeting that was chaired by Kisumu County Assembly Majority Leader Ken Oluoch on March 5, the orange party resolved to de-whip the eleven MCAs over what they termed as disloyalty.
The eleven Members of the Kisumu County Assembly included Vincent Odhiambo (MCA for Central Nyakach Ward), Gard Olima (South - West Nyakach), Regina Kizito (Muhoroni /Koru), Tom Nyaoke (North Nyakach and Kolwa Central’s Calvin Oraro.
Others were Tom Onditi (Ombeyi), Habil Nyasuna (Masogo Nyang'oma), Millicent Omuya (North Seme), Oiko Pete (Kabonyo Kanyagwal), Fredrick Odari (Chemelil Tamu) and Lawino Opar.
“We found that the 11 are not loyal to our party and its leadership and therefore went against our constitution by promoting other party ideals. We resolved to follow our standing orders and discharged them from other committees,” Oluoch announced.
ODM Parliamentary Group wrote to Kisumu Assembly Speaker Elisha Jack Oraro, informing him of the new political development.
Speaker Oraro confirmed receipt of the letter from ODM, and stated that the applicable facts of the law that allows the party to act on errand members.
“I read the letter by ODM in line with the House Standing Orders. The party has the right to place or remove you from a committee but if you feel aggrieved, you should appeal to the party,” Oraro stated.
ODM claims that the eleven leaders grossly violated the party's constitution when they appeared to be promoting the ideals of another party other than the one that sponsored them to the assembly.
“Committee membership is a privilege you enjoy because of the party. When you feel like you don’t believe in your party’s ideologies or the leadership, the only honourable thing is to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the people,” Kanga explained.
Led by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, the eleven MCAs visited Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on March 2, when they discussed local politics and developments.
“The contributory role of the Members of Country Assembly (MCAs) in the security and development of our smallest administrative divisions (wards) cannot be overlooked. These are the leaders who have the closest, daily engagement with the people and therefore instrumental in the operationalisation of these administrative units,” Omollo posted on Twitter.
The eleven MCAs were de-whipped despite Odinga on Tuesday, February 28 announcing that he would not go ahead with the planned expulsion of rebel lawmakers who met Ruto at State House.
"I've received written communication from them saying they did not defect from ODM and they went because they are following up on those projects," Odinga revealed.
