Political analyst Arnold Maliba claims the decision by the ODM Party to expel five of its members who were deemed disloyal is null and void.
According to the Maliba, the disciplinary action that was ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) cannot stand since Raila Odinga, who chaired the meeting, is a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
He argues that in line with political party regulations, Odinga cannot be a member of ODM and Azimio parties at the same time.
“The ruling and even the statement made by John Mbadi is null and void because a foreigner chaired the disciplinary committee. Raila is a foreigner in ODM. Raila is not a member of ODM. Raila and Martha Karua are members of Azimio and they have publicly presented themselves as the people who ran on Azimio which is actually a party,” said Maliba in an interview with one of the journalists.
According to the political analyst, the affected legislators should rest easy and should not be bothered by the decision made by the party.
“So the expelled MPs should be happy because a foreigner to the party chaired the disciplinary committee. The registrar of political parties Anne Nderitu should come out clear and tell us whether section 14 is effective specifically where no one should belong to two political parties,” said the political expert
He added: “Raila ran on Azimio. He is still asking for servers to be opened saying Azimio won. So, in what capacity did he sit. This is a foreigner sitting in an ODM meeting to discipline ODM members.”
The ODM party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Wednesday announced a decision to expel five members including; Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Felix Odiwuor ‘Jalang’o’ (Lang’ata), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
The MPs were accused of violating the party Constitution and the Political Parties Act 2011 by openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political outfit, as well as opposing lawful decisions made by party organs.
The NEC, in a statement to newsrooms after a meeting chaired by party leader Raila Odinga and National Chairman John Mbadi, said the decision was arrived at following the consideration of a report by the disciplinary committee which had been looking into the conduct of some members.
The five are Members of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Felix Odiwuor ‘Jalang’o’ (Lang’ata), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.