Senator wants ODM to expel MPs who met President Ruto

Senator Oketch, in the letter addressed to ODM Chairman John Mbadi and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Thursday, wants the legislators expelled on grounds of violating Section 14 of the Political Parties Act which he says caused "immense embarrassment" to the party and its leadership.

Section 14A (1) dictates that a member may be deemed to have resigned from a political party if they promote the ideology, interests or policies of another political party.

The Migori Senator, therefore, argued that the legislators who met President Ruto indicated a clear association with a different political party.

"The aforementioned party members have shown close association with a different Political Party whereupon they have been captured by the media appearing together with both the Party Leader and the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance Party whose ideologies, interests and policies they have been promoting from within the Orange Democratic Movement Party," read part of the letter. 

He wants the names of Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South) to be struck from the party member register within seven days.

Other members are Paul Abuor (Rongo), and Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata).

Within the same period, Senator Oketch also wants the party to commence the necessary disciplinary actions against the legislators "for purposes of having them expelled from the Orange Democratic Movement Party if found culpable."

Pending a decision from the party on his request, Senator Oketch wants the MPs to be de-whipped or recalled from all parliamentary leadership positions and committees that they are serving within the party.

Meanwhile, an Azimio la Umoja meeting is ongoing at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos where disciplinary action will reportedly be taken against the MPs.

Jalang'o, who is among the dissenting MPs has been kicked out of the meeting for reasons yet to be confirmed.

Speaking to the press after being kicked out, Jalang’o claimed that a member of Raila Odinga’s security asked him to leave the meeting hall. 

“I feel bad. You know I love Baba… I am a member of ODM,” he said.