Kisumu Speaker suspends four ODM MCAs
Kisumu Speaker Jack Oraro has suspended four nominated ODM ward representatives after the party revoked their nomination for gross misconduct.
In his communication to the House on Thursday, Oraro said the members are suspended from all functions of the assembly with immediate effect.
“This means that they will no longer participate in any assembly activities until further notice,” he told the assembly.
“I kindly request the Clerk of the County Assembly to take note of this communication and ensure that the necessary administrative actions are taken to enforce the suspension of the aforementioned members.”
The affected ward representatives are Caroline Lawino Opar, Kennedy Otieno Ajwang, Peter Henry Obaso, and Regina Atieno Kizito.
The speaker’s decision to suspend them followed a communication from the Orange Democratic Movement asking him to effect their removal for gross misconduct.
In the letter dated September 7, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen said the ward reps were found to have violated the Political Parties Act 2011, Section 11 (e) of the ODM Constitution and the ODM Code of Conduct.
“We kindly request that you take the necessary steps to acknowledge and implement this decision in the County Assembly of Kisumu by the Assembly’s orders and Elections Act, 2012,” Ong’wen said.
The decision to recall them was arrived at during the ODM’s National Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday under the leadership of Raila Odinga and chaired by National Chairman John Mbadi.
ALSO READ: ODM Kicks Out Jalang’o, Ojienda & 3 Others Over Ruto Links
Ong’wen said the disciplinary process followed due diligence and the affected members were granted the opportunity to a fair hearing during the Party’s Internal Dispute Resolution process.
He said the process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Fair Administration Act (No. 4 of 2015).
“We appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that you will handle it by the relevant legal and constitutional provisions.
Should you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us,” Ong’wen said.
On Wednesday, the ODM party instituted stern disciplinary action against other party members including the expulsion of five MPs it said defied its position and started working with the government.
These are Elisha Ochieng’ (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Tom Ojienda (Senator, Kisumu County) and Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata).
“The party is hereby directed to commence the process of removing them from the register of the party,” Mbadi announced after the NEC meeting.
The party also fined Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris Sh250,000 for voting for the Finance Bill, 2023 (now an Act) and demanded a written apology from her.
Mark Nyamita (MP, Uriri) and Paul Abuor (MP, Rongo) were on their part fined Sh1 million each for openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political party.
Mbadi said the NEC meeting that arrived at the disciplinary action followed a series of meetings held by the Central Committee of the party, the Disciplinary Committee, and the National Elections Board.
Kisumu Speaker suspends four ODM MCAs
