On October 30, 2014, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Executive Director Magerer Langat was forcibly ejected from a Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) parliamentary Group meeting.
Langat was roughed up by youthful party supporters and a group of Nairobi County Assembly Members (MCAs). The angry group then proceeded to deflate the tyres of his car.
While all this was happening, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka watched from a distance in shock.
The incident took place at the Orange House, the party’s headquarters, during a CORD parliamentary group meeting that had been convened primarily to receive referendum updates from the Okoa Kenya Committee of Experts.
Magerer Langat Manhandled by Irate Group
This committee had been tasked with gathering nationwide input on proposed constitutional changes and was briefing CORD leaders and members on its progress.
After assaulting Langat, the MCAs addressed the media and accused him of being a “Jubilee mole” working against the party’s interests at the time when Jubilee was led by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Nairobi County Majority Leader at the time, Elias Otieno, told reporters that Langat had become a liability to ODM.
“He clearly said that ODM is dead and that the party leader should resign and retire from politics because he is old. So we did not understand why he was still here. If he believes the party is dead, which party was he serving today? That is why we, as Nairobi CORD MCAs, have taken this action,” said the MCA
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Otieno further stated that Langat was no longer welcome at the party’s headquarters.
“We do not want to see him here again. If he wants to remain a member of the party, he is free to do so as an ordinary member, but not as an executive. That is our decision, and everyone should accept it.”
Following the incident, a section of Jubilee legislators held a press conference condemning the manner in which Langat had been manhandled.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria called on the Inspector General of Police to take action against those who assaulted the ODM official:
“The Inspector General of Police should investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure those responsible are arrested,” said Kuria.
ODM Takes Action Against Members Who Attacked Langat
ODM Secretary-General at the time, Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, also joined other leaders in condemning the manner in which the party official was treated.
“We were surprised by the events that took place, and we condemn them. The party will look into it immediately. It has nothing to do with democratic space within the party; maybe it has to do with hooliganism,” he said.
In November 2014, ODM took formal action against the ten Nairobi County MCAs who had physically assaulted and ejected Langat.
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The party imposed a collective fine of Ksh 100,000 on the MCAs for their conduct. In addition, ODM’s Disciplinary Committee summoned the ten MCAs, together with Magerer Langat, to appear before the National Executive Committee (NEC) to answer allegations of misconduct.
The NEC warned that more serious disciplinary action would follow depending on the outcome.
Later that month, Magerer Langat resigned from the ODM party following the incident that transpired at Orange House.
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