By Beauttah Omanga and Robert Nyasato

Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka is embroiled in a tussle with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over his alleged links with ODM.

Mr Onyonka, the Kitutu Chache MP, has now been suspended from the party after he reportedly failed to appear before its National Governing Council twice to defend his association with ODM.

"PDP NEC met last Friday in Nairobi and officially suspended Onyonka’s membership. He failed to show up when summoned twice and that amounted to insubordination and defiance," said chairman Stephen Nyarangi.

Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka. He has broken ranks with his party. Photo: File/Standard

But reached for comment, Onyonka termed the move political and nothing to do with legalities and the party constitution.

"I am a member of the coalition Government and I see nothing wrong in being in Government. A single member’s decision to join a coalition Government is no illegality at all and I am still a member of PDP," said a defiant Onyonka.

The assistant minister said he was consulting with his lawyers with a view to moving to court to seek orders to stop the party from interfering with his membership.

"I have not defected from PDP. I am still a member, but working with ODM and other coalition partners as per the National Accord," he said.

Mr Nyarangi said Onyonka had flouted the party constitution by failing to remit mandatory fees. The chairman said Onyonka, who is the party’s sole MP, had been advised to cut links with the coalition.

"We have no written memorandum between our party and ODM. We don’t also have any deal with the coalition Government. Onyonka is in Government by default," claimed the chairman.

But the minister scoffed at the claims, saying he did not have to be cleared by his party to accept the honour of serving in the coalition.

Onyonka claimed some political forces in Kisii were fighting him through PDP.

"I have met the Speaker and he has promised to act as per our party recommendation to suspend Onyonka, a move that will see him loss his seat," said Nyarangi.

Meanwhile, Trade Assistant Minister Omingo Magara has appealed to leaders to treat the constitutional review debate cautiously.

Speaking during a fundraiser for Getare SDA Church in Nyaribari Masaba constituency, the South Mugirango MP said some squabbling could derail the process.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri appealed to church leaders to preach unity.