Deputy President William Ruto, on Thursday, held a meeting with some coast MPs associated with MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Suleiman Dori (Msambweni) at his Karen office.
Among the members present included Mohamed Ali (Nyali), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Athman Shariff (Lamu East), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi county), Said Hiribae (Galole) and Badi Twalib (Jomvu).
Ruto urged the legislators not to relent, dismissing the elevation of Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to ‘Super CS’ as nothing to be worried about.
Reports indicated that a movement was expected to be launched soon which would fight ODM and present it as an intolerant and undemocratic party responsible for the Coast’s problems.
They also discussed ways to undermine ODM ahead of possible by-elections following the decision by its disciplinary committee to have Jumwa and Dori expelled from the party.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi is expected to declare the seats vacant and call for by-elections once the Registrar of Political Parties struck the duo's names from the party’s roll.
Katana, on the other hand, defended the MPs claiming they were elected leaders who were constitutionally allowed to meet anyone.
“We want to move forward. These small issues of who went where to meet who do not help mwananchi (citizen). Let's focus on issues that affect the country like food security, education, insecurity,” he divulged.
National Executive Committee (NEC) of ODM also recommended that two be de-whipped from all Parliamentary Committees they are serving in the National Assembly with immediate effect.
It was, however, unclear whether Ruto would be funding the onslaught.
