Ababu, Mwaura among 10 rebel legislators expelled by ODM

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has expelled 10 legislators, among them their former Secretary General and Budalang’i Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba and Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura.

Namwamba, together with Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, had led an exodus of close to eight MPs from Western region from ODM over allegations of neglect and unfair treatment. The MP was later appointed the party leader of Labour Party of Kenya.

His co-conspirator, Otuoma, has since returned to ODM and taken back his national vice chairperson position.

Other legislators that were expelled during the party’s National Governing Council meeting at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi are Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Kwale Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga, MPs  John Waluke (Sirisia), Steve Kariuki (Mathare), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), Masoud Mwahima (Likoni) and Viwandani MCA Samuel Nyangwara.

The party, however, pardoned Governor Ukur Yatani and Igembe Central MP Kubai Iringo.

Other legislators who have for some time shown affiliation to Jubilee have been given more time to defend themselves.

They are MPs Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North), Chachu Ganya (North Horr), Mustafa Idd (Kilifi South), James Rege (Karachuonyo) and Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East).

The expulsion comes just a day after ODM National Executive Committee approved a decision by the party organs to expel the members who have reportedly ditched the party for other political outfits, including Jubilee.

Speaking at the meeting, ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya asked to throw their support behind Raila Odinga and show commitment to the party.

Similar sentiments had been expressed by the party leader Raila Odinga, who said that there was no middle ground, adding that legislators can either be in ODM or out.

In his speech Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire had warned members against double standards, saying those who had chosen to support ODM should be firmly rooted in the party.

“We cannot set out on a journey with people who have no stand and those who are untrustworthy. You are either with us or against us,” he said, adding: “Since we have a resolve to gather all and scatter none, those who wish to get back to the good books should go back to the grassroots and seek for forgiveness.”

Earlier, Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka and his Bomachoge counterpart, Simon Ogar,i had asked the party to pardon them, saying they had been misled into supporting Jubilee.

“I have neither insulted baba (Raila Odinga) nor the party, and if I have offended anyone I beg for forgiveness. I am an ODM life member and I am committed to the party,” said Ogari.

The two leaders had been instrumental in pushing Jubilee’ agenda in Kisii region as President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto seek inroads into the region.

Nominated Senator Janet Ong’era, however, dismissed the apologies by the two MPs, saying they should go and seek forgiveness from ODM Kisii Branch.

“The fate of these two MPs must be deliberated on by Kisii ODM Branch because they were part of the Jubilee team that was dishing out money during the Nyacheki by-election and beating up our people,” she said.

The names of the two MPs were however missing from the list of those given more time to defend themselves, those expelled and those who had been pardoned.