NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 15 – President William Ruto has lauded ODM rebel MPs for working with him urging them not to be wavered by summons issued to them by the party’s disciplinary committee.
President Ruto averred that the six renegade MPs are on the right political track saying the issued summons is an indication that their political projection is on the right track.
“I was ODM deputy leader and if you are issued with a disciplinary letter just know your things are ripening. So don’t worry, if you haven’t received any disciplinary letter just know your things are far from ripening,” he stated.
“If you want to move forward politically just get the disciplinary letter,” the President said during the thanksgiving service of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
The Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader reminisced his hey days in the ODM party where he was issued summons by the disciplinary committee and successfully managed to impede efforts to expunge him from the political outfit.
President Ruto urged the embattled lawmakers not to be cowed promising an antidote to defeat the efforts by the opposition party to crack the whip on them.
“I was taken to court by ODM as they tried to chase me.We had a long battle in court and you will come I tell you what to do. For five years and in the next elections I became the Deputy President,” he said.
The Head of State described the move by the Opposition MPs as the government initiative for inclusivity irrespective of political leaning.
“You guys relax,we understand this politics.We have gone through all that and that the journey of leadership,” President Ruto stated.
Renegade MPs
The six ODM renegade MPs had reiterated that they have no apologies to make for working with President Ruto saying they are ready to face the party’s disciplinary committee next week.
At least seven MPs have been summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee as the Raila Odinga-led party orchestrated the process of kicking out the lawmakers.
Those summoned include Phelix Odiwour AKA Jalango (Langata),Mark Nyamita (Uriri),Elisha Odhiambo (Gem),Tom Ojienda (Kisumu),Esther Passaris (Nairobi), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Paul Abuor (Rongo).
“Our association with the President has led to us holding the sharp end of the knife but we are ready for it because we believe courage is a virtue that if you don’t have then all the other virtues are nonsense,” said Omondi.
The Suba South lawmaker was the first ODM legislator from Luo Nyanza to declare that he will work with President Ruto’s government.
Uriri MP Nyamita stated that despite the pressure from ODM party due to their dalliance with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government they will not severe the newly found ties for the sake of their constituents’ development.
“I have received my letter and the charges that have been cited is my visit to the Presidents’ office and that of his deputy. In my day to day I am an MP and I oversight the government, what’s wrong with asking the President to remember Nyanza counties,” said Nyamita.
Langata MP Jalango implored President Ruto to have talks with Odinga to alleviate the cracking of the whip which might potentially lead to losing of their political seats.
“I have been called before the disciplinary committee and I have looked at my charges and the biggest charge is because am your friend. Odinga is your friend talk to him, they don’t finish me,” Jalango stated.
Gem MP Odhiambo decried that he has been served with two disciplinary letters saying he is ready to face the Ben Sihanya led committee.
“I am the only one who has been given two letters. I have been summoned on Tuesday and Wednesday and we will meet there,” he said.
Party’s constitution
As per the party constitution, a member may be deemed to have resigned from a political party if that person promotes the ideology, interests or policies of another political party.
The members have been faulted for associating themselves with President William Ruto and therefore they are deemed to have resigned from ODM.
“In default of your appearance, the ODM Disciplinary Committee will take appropriate action as provided by the ODM constitution without any further reference to you,”the letter read.
“Please note that you will be required to defend yourself as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against you with regards to your alleged violation of the ODM Party Constitution, Code of Conduct and lawful decisions,” it added.
In the event the disciplinary committee recommends expulsion of the lawmarkers, the decisions will be presented before the National Executive Committee.
The National Executive Committee will then choose to either uphold the verdict or turn it down.
If the NEC upholds their expulsion it will recommend to the National Governing Council the sanction of the same.
The National Delegates Convention as the top most organ will then ratify the decision and pave way for the decision to be forwarded to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu for the seeking the removal of the renegade MPs.
