Court extends orders barring expulsion of Jalang'o, Tom Ojienda from ODM

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has extended orders barring the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from expelling Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda and MPs Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o and Elisha Odhiambo from the party.

The tribunal further directed that the matter be mentioned on the 3rd of October for further directions.

The party (ODM) has been directed to file their responses to the application within 5 days of the date of service.

“In the interim and pending the hearing and determination of this Application, this Honorable Tribunal hereby issues interim conservatory orders staying the implementation and/or execution of the decision of the 1st Respondent to expel the Complainant/Applicants, from the Orange Democratic Movement Party,” PPDT chairperson Desma Nungo says in court papers.

Ojienda, Odhiambo and Jalang’o were expelled alongside MPs Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) but moved to court and obtained restraining orders.

They argue that on September 6, 2023, to their surprise, not having been heard on the subject charges, ODM party issued a presser that the National Executive Committee of the ODM had passed a resolution to adopt the recommendations of the ODM Disciplinary Committee to expel from the party and deregister them as members.

 They argue that the decision to expel them from the party is premature.