the NGC is set to ratify the decision by the party’s Disciplinary Committee under the chairmanship of Fred Athuok in what has been seen as a move to foster party loyalty ahead of the 2017 General Election/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – The Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Monday hold a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting to consider a report by the party’s Disciplinary Committee recommending the expulsion of defectors.
Acting Secretary General Agnes Zani said the report by the party’s Disciplinary Committee was unanimously adopted by National Executive Council (NEC) on Sunday, paving a way for a final verdict by the National Governing Council.
According to Zani, the NGC is set to ratify the decision by the party’s Disciplinary Committee under the chairmanship of Fred Athuok in what has been seen as a move to foster party loyalty ahead of the 2017 General Election.
The party has in the recent past been faced with a wrangles occasioned by the resignation of its Secretary General Ababu Namwamba (who decamped to Labour Party) over alleged frustrations from within Orange House.
Other party stalwarts who also defected to the rival Jubilee Party include Governors Ukur Yatani (Marsabit) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Kwale Women Representative Zainabu Chizuga and legislators Steven Kariuki (Mathare), Mpuri Aburi (Tigania East), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North), Mustafa Iddi (Kilifi South), Cyprian Kubai (Igembe Central), Isaac Mwaura (Nominated MP), James Rege (Krachuonyo), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town) and John Waluke (Sirisia).
The defectors who were summoned by the party late September have however remained adamant on calls to quit the Orange Party daring Orange House to expel them.
While some of the defectors have been seen to adopt a lukewarm approach on their newfound love with the ruling party, most of the leaders openly declared their allegiance to the newly formed Jubilee Party during its launch at Kasarani on September 30.
While blaming the sudden change of heart by the defectors to Jubilee, the party now says it will not relent in its quest to crack the whip on defectors.
On Tuesday last week, ODM Chief Whip Thomas Mwadeghu wrote to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi de-whipping seven of its members from parliamentary committees amid protests by some of their colleagues who faulted the move as mere witch-hunt.
Among members de-whipped from parliamentary committees are Ababu Namwamba (Budalangi), James Rege (Rachuonyo), John Waluke (Sirisia), Cyprian Iringo (Igembe Central) and nominated MP Isaac Mwaura.
Orange House is also set to make major decisions touching on party nominations and the convening of the National Delegates Convention in readiness for the 2017 polls.
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