ODM is the most influential political parties in Kenya, that’s if you remove KANU from the equation. But the party is losing its grip and it may not even be there 2022.
Let’s be honest, ODM has depended mostly on their charismatic leader Raila Odinga to keep their huge following.
But those around Baba have taken advantage of their position to kill the party by selling nomination tickets to the highest bidder. In the runner-up to last year’s general elections, several candidates left ODM after being rigged out in the nominations.
It now seems that the rot has spread to the grassroots. That is if recent developments at the Homa Bay County Assembly are anything to go by.
On Thursday morning, MCAs impeached County Assemby Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo citing mistreatment.
Her Thursday morning removal followed a motion moved by Ruma Kaksingri Ward MCA Ellyphalet Osuri that accused Ayoo of among other things; lack of Integrity and leadership skills as stipulated in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
In a sitting that saw all members present vote in favour of her removal, the seemingly irate MCAs accused the Speaker of allegedly discriminating and mistreating Assembly members and staff.
Other grounds of her impeachment were; Incompetence in discharging her duties as Speaker and the alleged stealing of the Mace – the symbol of authority from the Assembly.
Ayoo is also accused of frequent adjournments of house sittings, something the MCAs termed as unprocedural.
Two weeks ago assembly sergeants were forced to save the life of Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo from the hands of irate MCAs who mounted on her with kicks and blows accusing her of being biased.
Ms. Ayoo was hit with chairs and bottles of water by some MCAs who were unhappy with how she was presiding over the House proceedings.
The speaker was accosted while reading a report from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party about changes in the county assembly leadership including the office of the majority leader.
This, however, did not go down well with a section of the MCAs, led by the current leader of majority Walter Were, who said the changes were not the original report from the party headquarters.
The sergeants hurriedly whisked away the speaker in the ensuing 30-minute chaos, but the MCAs still stormed her office where she had been hidden for safety and frog matched her back to the assembly chambers to adjourn the House officially.