ODM Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) has approved the expulsion of five rebel Members of Parliament (MPs) from the party. The NEC has issued instructions to remove these five MPs from the party register due to their active support of rival political groups.
The MPs who have been ousted from the ODM Party are Elisha Ochieng’ Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Tom Ojienda (Senator of Kisumu County), and Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalango (Lang’ata).
The decision was based on allegations that these members violated Article 11 (1) (e) of the party constitution and Section 14A of the Political Parties Act 2011 by openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political party, and opposing lawful decisions and resolutions made by the party’s organs. As a result, they are now considered to have resigned from the party.
The NEC has directed the party to initiate the process of removing them from the party’s official register.
This NEC meeting, convened ODM party leader Raila Odinga, comes nearly a month after the renegade members appeared before the Sihanya-led committee to defend themselves against accusations of gross misconduct.
According to the ODM constitution, the disciplinary process could lead to various outcomes, including reprimanding, censuring, or fining the member.
The ODM Party’s disciplinary committee is expected to announce its verdict regarding eight Members of Parliament who appeared for a hearing on Monday. These MPs have been accused of violating the party constitution by associating with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance, and the hearing took place in July.
