Raila is a foreigner in ODM - Political analyst

By Peter Ochieng

A political analyst has poured cold water on the move by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to suspend five legislatures over claims of being disloyal.

Arnold Maliba says the disciplinary action that was this week ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) cannot hold water.

Speaking during an NTV interview, the lawyer said Azimio leader Raila Odinga who chaired the ODM meeting is a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.

Maliba says the law does not allow Odinga or anyone else to be a member of two political parties, at the same time.

The decision to expel the five legislatures was communicated by ODM chairman John Mbadi.

"The ruling and even the statement made by John Mbadi is null and void because a foreigner chaired the disciplinary committee. Raila is a foreigner in ODM. Raila is not a member of ODM. Raila and Martha Karua are members of Azimio and they have publicly presented themselves as the people who ran on Azimio which is actually a party,” said Maliba.

Odinga contested for the 2022 presidential election on Azimio ticket, with Martha Karua as his running mate. The analyst said the affected lawmakers have nothing to worry.

“So the expelled MPs should be happy because a foreigner to the party chaired the disciplinary committee. The registrar of political parties Anne Nderitu should come out clear and tell us whether section 14 is effective specifically where no one should belong to two political parties.

“Raila ran on Azimio. He is still asking for servers to be opened saying Azimio won. So, in what capacity did he sit. This is a foreigner sitting in an ODM meeting to discipline ODM members," he added.

On Wednesday this week, ODM NEC expelled five legislatures, for working with president William Ruto.

They are Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, Gem's Elisha Odhiambo, Bondo's Gideon Ochanda and Suba South's Caroli Omondi.

They were accused of violating the party constitution and the political Parties Act 2011 by openly associating with, and supporting activities of a rival political outfit, as well as opposing lawful decisions made by party organs.