ODM has proven that even in the spirit of the handshake , party rebels are an outcast and should not be enjoying benefits that come with being associated with its party.
Orange Democratic Movement’s National Executive Council (NEC) has recommended the expulsion of Coast MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Suleiman Dori (Msambweni), who are allied to Deputy President William Ruto, putting their political lives on a hanging line.
ODM accused Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori of advancing the interests of another party by openly campaigning for the Deputy President to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta when he retires in 2022.
On Thursday, ODM deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya chaired a NEC meeting in Nairobi at which he directed Minority Whip Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP) to immediately remove the two from all committees by notifying House Speaker Justin Muturi.
Party leader Raila Odinga chairs the NGC, which includes all branch chairpersons.
Expulsion of the MPs would mean the loss of their positions from the various House committees.
For instance, Ms Jumwa is a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), which caters for the welfare of MPs and staff, where she draws a lucrative sitting allowance.
She also benefits from an enhanced medical cover, besides sitting in the Services and Facilities Committee.
Mr Dori, who is also the Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) chairman, is a member of the Transport, Public Works and Housing committee.
Addressing journalists after appearing before the NEC, the two MPs questioned the integrity of the report recommending their removal on grounds that ODM did not have a properly constituted disciplinary committee.
They blamed Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho for their tribulations. “This is the first chance we have been given to be heard. I have not appeared before any disciplinary committee of the party previously,” Ms Jumwa said.
“We only appeared before an individual (Mr Athuok) and it took about two minutes. He is, therefore, not the disciplinary committee,” she said.
“I don’t recognise the purported report because my party leader and the entire Central Management Committee (CMC) he chairs were misled. In the spirit of handshake, who can’t forgive us? Everything is water under the bridge,” the Malindi MP said.
Mr Dori said he had no issues with his party or its leadership and that their appearance before NEC was an indication that he is committed to the party.
Is ODM proving that Ruto will not see presidency?