President William Ruto has advised six rebel MPs, among them Lang'ata's Phelix Odiwuor, alias Jalang'o, that receiving an ODM disciplinary letter is a sign that they are maturing politically.
The Head of State, who spoke during Interior CS Raymond Omollo's Thanksgiving ceremony in Homa Bay, drew inspiration from his own experience when he was still a member of ODM.
He insisted that the six rebel MPs were on the right path toward creating a name for themselves politically and delivering for their electorates.
“I was ODM deputy leader and if you are issued with a disciplinary letter just know your things are ripening.
"So don’t worry, if you haven’t received any disciplinary letter, just know your things are far from ripening. If you want to move forward politically just get the disciplinary letter,” the DP stated.
The Head of State also narrated his personal struggles when he was still a member of the Raila Odinga-led party arguing that he had a fair share of court appearances.
“I was taken to court by ODM as they tried to chase me.We had a long battle in court and you will come I tell you what to do. For five years and in the next elections I became the Deputy President,” he added.
The rebel MPs include Jalang'o, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent), Paul Abuor (Rongo), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
The advice came months after the lawmakers met President William Ruto and expressed their desire to work with him in delivering services to their constituents.
Soon after, the former Prime Minister vowed to eject them from their seats insisting that they needed to reconsider their position.
"Those MPS voted for by ODM and jumped ship to Kenya Kwanza must go home. They must come back here and seek election again. The likes of Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and others must go back home.
"If you were elected, you must come back to your side. The law says that the people can have the power, and we will go back to them," Raila insisted.
Most of the lawmakers, however, remain adamant in supporting Ruto's agenda including voting to pass the controversial Finance Act 2023 despite opposition from Azimio la Umoja Coalition which they are members of.
