Does ODM party tolerates disorder and unruly behaviour by her members?
In January last year, Opposition leader Raila Odinga was at the Coast for a homecoming party
of the then Kilifi Woman Representative Aisha Jumwa.
Ms Jumwa was among the “Pangani Six” who had been arrested on hate speech allegations
and was then “returning home” after spending several days in police custody.
When Mr Odinga arrived at the Malindi airport, he opted to board the same car as Ms Jumwa.
Atop the car’s open roof, Mr Odinga emerged together with Ms Jumwa and addressed the
crowd, telling them that he had come to witness the birth of another Mekatilili, the legendary
freedom heroine who stood up against British colonial rule.
That photo of Mr Odinga and Ms Jumwa atop the vehicle was widely circulated and it catapulted
the former councillor to a new status.
Ms Jumwa, now the Malindi MP, dared her Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
party to dismiss her from the Parliamentary Service Commission for supporting Deputy President
William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
She said she had no differences with the party leader and the party, terming the move a creation
by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
RT @ItsKubasu: Aisha Jumwa dug her political grave when she disrespected ODM..We won’t vote for her again…..Malindi tunapigia chama.
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) December 4, 2018
“This is to Mr Junet; I’m ready for you. I have no conflict with Mr Odinga, the party leader,”
she said.
The MP was also quick reiterate her support for Deputy President Wiliam Ruto’s bid 2022
Her argument is that she is supporting the handshake between Mr Odinga and President
Uhuru Kenyatta; that she is following in the footsteps of her party leader.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) disciplinary committee has recommended the expulsion of the Malindi MP and her Msambweni counterpart Suleiman Dori from the party over gross misconduct.
Also targeted are seven Members of County Assembly — six from Homa Bay and Immaculate Adhiambo of Busia County — who are accused of disobeying party decisions and have also been recommended for expulsion.
ODM doesn’t see the irony of disciplining Hon Dori & Aisha for expressing support for DP Ruto, the No 2 in Jubilee…yet it’s ok for Hon Raila ODM party leader to support the policies & politics of HE Uhuru, the No1 in Jubilee.ODM is obviously a peculiar animal farm @JunetMohamed
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) December 4, 2018
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna noted that the Homa Bay MCAs; Dan Ochieng’ Were, Evans Dada Marieba, Julius Odhiambo Gaya, Geoffrey Onyango Juma, Paul Ongoro Wamunga and Joshua Okumu Nyabola exhibited violent and unruly behavior, which is against the party rules.
“Party discipline is paramount. Respect for party leadership, its organs and decisions made are components that make a stronger political party… ODM is not a party that tolerates disorder and unruly behaviour by her members,” read part of the statement signed by Sifuna.
ODM has not held any DELEGATES meeting in Migori as is being purported. The bonafide officials in Migori County led by Chairman Philip Makabong’o & Secretary Jossy Olala are mandated to organize such mtgs in consultation with the Party Hqs @JunetMohamed @RailaOdinga @edwinsifuna
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) November 19, 2018
The two MPs and seven MCAs had been summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee at Orange House on October 10, 2018 but failed to honour the summons.