The fate of two ODM rebel MPs now lies with the party’s National Governing Council after NEC yesterday adopted decision to kick them out of the party.
ODM disciplinary committee had last year recommended for expulsion from the party, MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Suleiman Dori (Msambweni) for failing to tow party line.
The committee chaired by lawyer Fred Athuok also recommended expulsion from the party six Homa bay MCAs for allegedly causing disruption at the Homa bay county assembly.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen argues that the only reason why ODM is “barbarically” threatening expulsions is is not so much to punish Jumwa and Dori but rather to forestall impending exodus
I will tell you the story of Homa Bay MCAs some day. For now the only reason why ODM is barbarically threatening expulsions is is not so much to punish Jumwa&Dori but rather to forestall impending exodus. Someone should tell them that #nobodycanstopreggae.
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) January 25, 2019
Similar attempts to kick out of the party rebel members have failed in the past because such moves always come close to the elections and were also frustrated by legal suits.
But with almost three and half years to the next general election, there is ample time for the party to exhaust all the legal channels putting the duo at high risk of losing their seats.
NEC chaired by ODM deputy party leader Wyliffe Oparanya also recommended that they be immediately be de-whipped from all parliamentary committees.
“The NEC adopted the recommendation of the disciplinary committee to have the legislators expelled from the party from the party and forwarded the same recommendation to the National Governing Council for ratification,” ODM secretary General Edwin Sifuna said.
NEC tasked minority whip Junet Mohammed to communicate to the house leadership of the house the decision to remove the two members from all the committees they were in.
However, the Elgeyo Marakwet has also rushed in to say that Jumwa and Dori are going nowhere.
Murkomen says that “Under our Constitutional dispensation their rights are firmly protected. It is not like they went to Uhuru Park and swore themselves in as Presidents?”
Jumwa & Dori are going nowhere. Under our Constitutional dispensation their rights are firmly https://t.co/erCfvJ8I2M is not like they went to Uhuru Park and swore themselves in as Presidents? https://t.co/iiEJtGzYbN
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) January 25, 2019