On Tuesday, February 7, eight ODM legislators visited President William Ruto at the State House where they pledged loyalty to the Kenya Kwanza government.
Among those who visited the Head of State are Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir, and Gem MP Elisha Ochieng.
Others were Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Paul Abuor (Rongo), and John Owino (Awendo).
However, on Thursday, February 9, Migori senator, Eddy Oketch, called for the deregistration of the rebel leaders from the party.
Oketch accused the rebel lawmakers of disloyalty to the ODM party, which sponsored them to Parliament.
He said by pledging their loyalty to Kenya Kwanza, the legislators had contravened Section 14A (2) and (3) of the Political Parties Act.
“Initiate the process of having their (seven ODM lawmakers) names struck off the Party Members Register in accordance with the provisions of Section 14A (2) and (3) of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2011 of the Laws of Kenya,” said Oketch.
In a letter filed by Aguko, Osman, and Company Advocates, the senator noted that the actions by the legislator did not embody the framework of the party.
“Their actions do not only fly on the face of the entire legal framework governing political parties’ membership but have also caused immense embarrassment, ridicule, anxiety, and disgust among the members of the Orange Democratic Movement Party and its party leadership at large,” he added.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna confirmed to have received a letter from the senator recommending the ouster of the rebel lawmakers.
“Internal mechanisms have been initiated with a view of processing your letter for action by the relevant party organs in accordance with the Party Constitution and any other relevant law,” Sifuna said.
