Kenya: Ojienda Says Won't Cut Ties With Ruto as Jalang'o Seeks Escape Route After ODM Expulsion

7 September 2023
Capital FM (Nairobi)
By Sharon Resian

Nairobi — Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has said he has no apologies to make after Orange Democratic Movement resolved to expel him alongside four others over ties with President William Ruto.

He responded hours after the part's National Executive Committee resolved to expel him together with Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Suba South's Caroli Omondi, Lang'ata's Phelix Jalang'o and Bondo's Gideon Ochanda.

Ojienda vowed to continue working with President Ruto.

"My Party has today expelled me for working with HE President William Ruto. I have no apology and will continue to work with the President," he said on Wednesday.

Jalang'o tweeted a veiled response to ODM vowing to face his accusers.

"No trial is too heavy to lift! And no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man," he said quoting the Bible.

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it," the Lang'ata lawmaker tweeted, quoting Corithians 10.13.

'Disloyalty'

Raila Odinga's ODM Party announced the intended expulsion of the lawmakers over their association with President Ruto following a disciplinary process some members contested as unjust.

The party directed Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Rongo's Paul Abuor to pay a Sh1 million fine each and tender a written apologies after facing disciplinary proceedings for similar charges.

NEC accused the legislators opposed to lawful decisions made by party organs.

"They are deemed to have resigned from the party. The party is hereby directed to commence the process of removing them from the register of the party," NEC said.

Nyamita and Abuor survived expulsion after turning up before the party to make their case.

"They appeared before the disciplinary committee in person and offered an explanation," NEC said in its statement.

The legislators were facing allegations of violation if Article 11 (1) (e) of the party constitution and section 14 A of the political parties Act 2011 by publicly associating and supporting activities of a rival political party.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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