ODM grills members linked to violent incidents

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party on Monday morning grilled its members linked to violent scenes witnessed in Migori, Busia, Mathare and at the party headquarters in Nairobi.

Senator Elizabeth Ongoro was the first to face the disciplinary committee followed by her competitor for Ruaraka Constituency parliamentary seat TJ Kajwang’.

Ongoro was put to task over the fracas she allegedly stirred at the party headquarters in Nairobi alongside her supporters over nomination crisis pitting her and TJ Kajwang’.

She stormed party offices lamenting omission of her name from the party nomination list that the party submitted to the electoral commission.

The senator slammed the party of orchestrating a plan to lock her out of the August 8 polls in favour of the incumbent MP TJ Kajwang’.

She emerged out of the grilling room relaxed, exuding confidence that the committee will take prudent action.

“We have a very functional disciplinary committee, we have presented our case and I hope they will get to the bottom of this,” She said.

Deputy party leader and Mombasa County governor Hassan Joho alongside party leader Raila Odinga’s key allies James Orengo (Siaya senator) and Anyang Nyony’o (Kisumu senator) were also required to give an account of the chaos that ensued at a political rally in Migori town convened by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed to launch his re-election bid.

It was alleged that hooligans allied to Migori County Governor Okoth Obado unleashed the chaos effectively disrupting the rally.

Governor Obado is said to have been angered by the move by party leaders led by Governor Joho to open party offices in the county occupied by a team loyal to Ochilo Oyacko.

Oyacko and Governor Obado are engaged in cut-throat competition for ODM ticket in Migori County gubernatorial race.

Busia County Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma were also scheduled to explain violent incidents in the county that led to one death and several injuries on Saturday, April 08, 2017.

Both candidates for Busia County governorship traded blame for the chaos with each pointing an accusing finger at the opponent’s camp.

The party disciplinary committee will hand over its report and recommendations to the central committee on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 after which it will be discussed and necessary measures taken.

All parties are required to have compiled and submitted a comprehensive list of all participants in the party primaries to the Independent Elector and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by close of business on Thursday, April 13, 2017.

Candidates whose names will not be included in the party nominations lists will not be allowed to participate in the nominations exercise.