Migori Senator writes to ODM seeking expulsion of Jalang’o, 6 others

Migori Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch has written to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeking the removal of Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o and six others for promoting ideologies of another party.

Through his lawyer, Gad Aguko, Oketch said Jalang'o, Tom Ojienda, Gideon Ochanda, Caroli Omondi, Elisha Odhiambo, Paul Abuor, and Mark Nyamita's visit to State House on Tuesday contravened Section 14A (1) (e) of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2012.

"On February 7, 2023, the members of the Orange Democratic Movement Party were treated to blatant and arrogant violation of the party constitution as read together with Section 14A (1) (e) of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2012 of the Laws of Kenya.

"On the said day and the period before, the aforementioned party members have shown a close association with a different political party whereupon they have been captured by the media appearing together with both the Party Leader and the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance party whose ideologies, interests and policies they have been promoting from within the Orange Democratic Movement Party," Aguko said in a letter seen by People Daily Digital.

He said the members' move has caused immense embarrassment, ridicule, anxiety, and disgust amongst the members of the ODM party and its party leadership at large.

"To wit, it is our client's humble prayer that (one) the Office of the Party Secretary General does proceed immediately, but in any case not later than 7 days from receipt hereof, to deem the said Hon. Prof. Tom Ojienda, SC, Hon. Gideon Ochanda. Hon. Caroli Omondi, Hon. Elisha Odhiambo. Hon. Paul Abuor. Hon. Mark Nyamita, and Hon. Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o as having resigned under the aforementioned provision, initiate the process of having their names struck of the Party Members Register in accordance with the provisions of Section 14A (2) and (3) of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2011 of the Laws of Kenya," he stated.

ODM urged to take disciplinary action

Oketch further recommended disciplinary action be taken against the seven.

"In alternative to the above, it is our client's further humble prayer that your respective offices immediately, but in any case not later than 7 days from receipt hereof commence the necessary disciplinary actions against the said individuals for purposes of having them expelled from the Orange Democratic Movement Party if found culpable in accordance with Section 148 of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2011 of the Laws of Kenya," he stated.

He added: "In this event, and should the 7 days notice period lapse without any action from your respective offices, this letter shall serve as the official complaint against the said individuals as envisioned under Article 8.4.1 of the Orange Democratic Movement Party Constitution the same having been served upon the Disciplinary Committee."

At the same time, the Senator wants the members to be immediately de-whipped from parliamentary leadership positions.

"Our client's further humble prayer is that pending the decision, action and/or grant of the two aforementioned prayers, the said individuals be forthwith de-whipped and/or recalled by the party from all parliamentary leadership positions and committees that they are serving in having been enabled as such by their membership in the Orange Democratic Movement party whose ideologies they no longer subscribe to," he said.