BY SAM ALFAN.
The political Parties Tribunal has temporarily suspended the decision by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to expelling 10 members who defected to other parties.
In a certificate of urgency filed on Tuesday afternoon, the tribunal said that there is danger that the nine ODM leaders led by Kwale governor Salim Mvurya will be deregistered from the party and therefore certified the matter as urgent and granted the orders.
“An order suspending the implementation of ODM decisions expelling the complainants from membership of the political party pending the hearing and determination of the case” tribunal ruled.
An order was also issued to the registrar of political partied not to amend or alter the list of ODM membership.
They include Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba, who was the party’s secretary-general.
Others are Joash Maangi (Kisii deputy governor, Kisii), MPs Steven Kariuki (Mathare), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale woman rep), Samwel Arama (Nakuru West), Masoud Mwahima (Likoni), John Waluke (Sirisia) and Viwandani MCA Samwel Nyangwara.
Lawyer Kioko Kilikumi representing the nine told the court that the expulsion of his clients is based on the fact that they attended the launch of jubilee party. Kilikumi submitted that ODM has no NEC in place.
“The NEC that is in place is not legally in place …….ODM has not held elections for the last 10 years therefore their expulsion from the party is unlawful” Kilukumi submitted
The party’s National Governing Council, however, pardoned Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani and Igembe Central MP Cyprian Kubai.
Another group of rebellious MPs have been ordered to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee on Thursday.
The governing council amended the list by the disciplinary committee to include Mr Waluke, who they said had defected as early as 2014
The council is composed of party leader Raila Odinga, his two deputies Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho, members of the National Executive Committee, chairpersons of all the county branches, the parliamentary group, governors and their deputies as well the party’s standing committees.
The body will examine the decision by the Fred Athuok-led disciplinary committee that proposed the expulsion of members it said had betrayed the trust of the party.
ODM argues that the leaders betrayed the party’s and voters’ trust, and should seek fresh mandates through by-elections.
