A section of ODM rebel Members of Parliament faced the party’s Disciplinary Committee on Monday June 24 to reply to accusations of betraying the party.
The Disciplinary Committee agreed to push the hearing to this week, following anti-government protests that began on Wednesday, July 19 to Friday.
“Rebel members appearing before the disciplinary committee today. They are required to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against them for going against the party and the pre-election code of conduct they signed,” read a caption of photos that the ODM Party shared on Twitter.
In addition, the images shared showed among others, Uriri lawmaker Mark Nyamita and former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi.
The rebel MPs include Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Paul Abuor (Rongo), and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), John Owino (Awendo) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
According to the communication by the Committee Chairman Prof. Ben Sihanya, Passaris, Nyamita and Odhiambo were to face the Committee on Monday, July 24 while the rest of the MPs were to show up on Tuesday.
“Therefore, the ODM Disciplinary Committee in terms of Articles 75 and 76 of the ODM Constitution summons you to appear in person before the Committee on Monday 24 July 2023 at 9:30am for the hearing of the complaint against you at a venue to be communicated to you in due course within Nairobi City County,” reads a letter to the MPs.
“If you fail to appear, the ODM Disciplinary Committee will take appropriate action as provided for in the ODM party constitution without further reference to you,” it added.
Why Passaris?
The opposition summoned Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Carol Omondi and Elisha Odhiambo for supporting the Finance Bill.
“The government can move the Finance Bill without needing anybody else. I think the biggest problem with the Finance Bill is the public relations around it.
We never sensitized the people enough about it. Kenyans are not trusting, and trust comes from doing good deeds.
We need to reconcile our promises with our delivery. We must understand where the government finds itself. It is not (President William) Ruto’s problem, it’s our problem,” said Passaris.
Further, Passaris admitted that the handshake regime made some wrong decisions asking the opposition to work with the government for the good of Kenya.
“Opposition is not about combative stances; it’s about working together to deliver and checking the government to ensure whatever it promises to its people.”
ODM MPs Working with Ruto
On the other hand, OMD accused the other MPs of betraying the party by meeting President William Ruto at State House without the consent of the party leader Raila Odinga.
The MPs pledged to support Ruto development agenda especially in Nyanza region, which is Odinga’s political base.
In a statement by Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, he said they meant it when they pledged to support Ruto.
“Our resolve to work with HE William Ruto was not a gimmick! We will support the president and we must support the president!” he tweeted on Tuesday.
The committee will in 30 days after the hearing decide the appropriate action to take against the MPs.
