Esther Passaris and other ODM rebels face disciplinary committee

**President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua with a section of ODM MPs at State House, Nairobi.**[PCS]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) disciplinary committee is set to meet rebel Members of Parliament to determine their fate in the party.

The rebels 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 Oduor (Lang'ata).

Passaris, Odhiambo, Nyamita, and Omondi are to appear before the committee on Monday, July 24, as the remaining four are to be questioned on Tuesday.

The party started growing concerned after a section of the MPs allied to ODM and Jubilee Party met President William Ruto in State House with claims of discussing the development agenda.

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

The move prompted ODM chairperson John Mbadi to write a letter to the renegade MPs accusing them of violating section 14A of the political 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.

Later the opposition parties were unsettled as some Jubilee MPs went ahead to pledge their support to the ruling Kenya Kwanza party including nominated MP Sabina Chege, and EALA MP Kanini Kega among others.

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

Nairobi woman Rep Passaris, MPs Caroli Omondi, and Elisha Odhiambo are to face the disciplinary committee for openly supporting the Finance Bill when it was tabled before parliament to be passed into law.

The opposition has continuously accused the ruling party of planning to turn the country into a one-party state, therefore, killing democracy.