ODM threatens action against members who boycotted PG

Tuesday 19th June 2018 15:47 EDT
 
 

Mombasa: The Orange Democratic Movement has threatened to punish Members of Parliament, mainly from the Coast, who snubbed its National Executive Committee and Parliamentary Group meeting called by party leader Raila Odinga in Mombasa on Monday. The MPs, most of whom have been linked to Deputy President William Ruto in recent weeks, were expected at the meeting at Flamingo Beach Resort but did not show up or excuse themselves.

Among them were vocal Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Suleiman Dori, as well as Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari, and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya. Others were MPs Paul Katana, John Mlolwa, and Danson Mwishako, and Senator Jones Mwaruma. However, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, who has twice attended Ruto’s events at the coast and signalled a willingness to work with him ahead of the 2022 general election, was present at the meeting.

Nanok didn't show up

Kingi and Joho were the only ODM governors present. The party explained that Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Kisumu’s Anyang’ Nyong’o will host another event soon. Council of Governors chairman Josphat Nanok also did not show up. Odinga used the caucus to explain his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta and ask members to back the Building Bridges initiative, but his party's secretariat turned the heat on the "rebels".

“They will be asked to explain themselves in the next meeting," said ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna. "We will give updates on their fate at the right time.” Sources indicated that Dori, who has openly backed Ruto to succeed President Kenyatta when his term expires and cast doubt on Joho’s ability to be president, will be ousted from chairing the Coast Parliamentary Group.

Work with govt

Kingi is said to have explained to members that his dalliance with Ruto followed Odinga’s resolve to work with the government. Odinga said he was not worried by the early campaigns ahead of the 2022 elections, saying a transition was underway following his political pact President Kenyatta. The pact, he added, had bolstered the fight against corruption and ensured national unity. Odinga and his deputy Hassan Joho also insisted that ODM will field a presidential candidate in the next polls, but did not indicate whether or not he will be on the ballot.


comments powered by Disqus



to the free, weekly Asian Voice email newsletter