ODM MPs who met Ruto will be allowed to explain themselves: Okang’o

The ODM Party MPs under the opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition who met President William Ruto at State House will be given a chance to clear themselves during the party’s disciplinary hearings.

This is according to the KANU party's political affairs secretary Fred Okang'o.

The seven MPs, among them Lang'ata legislator Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o on Tuesday met President Ruto and reaffirmed their pledge to work with the head of state.

This was the second such meeting this year by Azimio-allied parliamentarians and has been seen as an act of defiance against their parties and opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Okang’o, who spoke to NTV on Thursday said a member of a party can only be expelled if they violate the constitution of that party and have been given a fair hearing.

“What ODM has done is start a disciplinary hearing that will accord them a fair hearing. They will not be chased away; they have been summoned and given letters and explain this mandazi and tea that they were having at State House,” he said.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Odiwuor said they wanted to work with Ruto for the service of the electorate arguing that the president’s success was key regardless of political affiliation.

"Our resolve to work with HE William Ruto was not a gimmick! We will support the president and we must support the president!" tweeted the MP.

Our resolve to work with HE william Ruto was not a gimmick! We will support the president and we must support the president! When the president loose we all loose! Ruto is Kenya 1!
God bless the president and may we work together for our country! Always pray for the president! pic.twitter.com/yEXDfRTPwK

But Okang’o cast doubts at the State House meeting an MP’s efforts at transforming the country play out in Parliament.

“Was it a part of the development, and this development they are talking about, is it not what they are supposed to do in the House, to legislate?” he posed.

The other MPs present at the State House meeting were Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.

The meeting was also attended by ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Interior PS Raymond Omollo.

Previously, in February, nine ODM MPs held a closed-door meeting with President Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, prompting the Odinga-led party to initiate a disciplinary process against them.

They were Odiwuor, Ochanda, Odhiambo, Nyamita, Omondi, Abuor, and Ojienda, as well as Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East, Independent) and John Owino (Awendo).