ODM rebel MPs face disciplinary committee for working with Ruto

Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) disciplinary committee on Monday began grilling the rebel MPs to determine their fate in the party for working with the Kenya Kwanza government.

The ODM disciplinary committee chaired by Prof Ben Siahanya sitting at a Nairobi hotel received lawyers representing some of the MPs that were to appear before it during the two-day exercise.

The rebel lawmakers are Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Paul Abuor (Rongo) and Felix Odiwuor (Lang'ata).

The lawmakers are required to show cause why they are going against the wishes of the party whose leadership is critical of President Ruto's administration.

The leaders were due to appear before the committee last week and requested for the summons to be pushed to August but Prof Sihanya wrote back and booked them for yesterday and today.

"We wish to remind you that the Disciplinary Committee is guided by the Disciplinary Committee (Practice and procedures) Rules 2022 and in particular Rule 19(3)in the discharge of its mandate," read the letter in part.

Passaris, Odhiambo, Nyamita, and Omondi's lawyers appeared before the committee yesterday and the remaining four lawmakers will be grilled today.

Nairobi Woman Rep, MPs for Suba South and Gem are facing the disciplinary committee for openly supporting the Finance Bill 2023 when it was tabled before the National Assembly last month.

The lawyers representing the legislators said their resolve to work with the government does not mean that they are betraying the ODM party

The Azimio leadership raised concern after a section of MPs allied to ODM and Jubilee Party met President Ruto at State House to reportedly discuss development matters.

"We will work with leaders across the country without reservations or discrimination regardless of political affiliation to deliver services to the people. This is what the Constitution demands and what all Kenyans deserve," Ruto tweeted.

The move prompted ODM chairperson John Mbadi to write to the renegade MPs accusing them of violating section 14A of the Political Parties Act 2021.

"Your public display, conduct, and general comportment not only violate Section 14A of the Political Parties Act, 2021 but also Article 11 of the party constitution and the party's Code of Conduct that you signed," said Mbadi.

The opposition was rattled after a section of Jubilee MPs including Nominated MP Sabina Chege, and EALA MP Kanini Kega went ahead to pledge their support to the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Then followed the controversial Finance Bill, 2023 debate which saw a number of the opposition MPs walk out of the House during the vote.

A week ago, a section of ODM rebel MPs pleaded with President Ruto to rescue them from the wrath of the party.

Although the six rebel MPs maintained they are not apologetic for working with Kenya Kwanza despite being summoned by the ODM disciplinary committee, they asked the president to reach out to Azimio leader Raila Odinga and plead their case.

The legislators led by Ojienda, Omondi, Nyamita, Abuor, Ochanda, Odhiambo and Odiwuor said they will not be intimidated not to work with the government of the day as they seek development for their people.

Speaking at Oriwo Boys High School in Homa Bay county, during the thanksgiving and homecoming ceremony of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the legislators said they owe nobody an apology for working with the government.