ODM urges Kenyans to join the Firimbi Movement

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called on Kenyans to join the ‘Firimbi Movement’ in a bid to put the government in check.

The party chair John Mbadi said that Kenyans should not just sit back and watch as the government engages in corruption and mutilation of the Constitution saying it is time for the country to unite in demanding for accountability.

The Suba MP further claimed that their plan to disrupt President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech was premeditated and sought to pass the party’s message of dissatisfaction.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta does not have the audacity to sack Deputy President William Ruto’s Personal Assistant Farouk Kibet and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale from their positions even after they were named in the NYS corruption scandal. They should leave office,” said Mbadi.

He also pointed out that they will resist any attempts by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to take action against Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga, Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, among other legislators over the Thursday afternoon incident.

In a separate communication, however, Speaker Muturi clarified that he cannot move to remove the ODM MPs from House Committees saying members can instead withdraw out of their own volition.

The ODM MPs also revealed their plans to move to Court to challenge Standing Order 111, which guided Justin Muturi’s call ordering them out of Parliament, saying they are in conflict with Article 47 of the Constitution.

On her part, Wanga maintained the party’s resilience in pushing for change saying they could not sit in Parliament on Thursday and listen to PR gimmick from the President.

“We blew the whistle because our youth, who had enrolled for NYS, have been sent home because somebody stole the money that was meant to assist them,” she said.

“We want Kenyans to join us in blowing the whistle. This is just the beginning, relieving me this is just but the beginning relieving me off my duties is a small price in liberating Kenyans.”

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who has been suspended from House proceedings until the end of the current Parliamentary session in December, said he will continue pushing the government in check regarding matters of corruption.

The ODM legislators were ordered out of Parliament on Thursday after they blew whistles to disrupt President Kenyatta’s State of the Nation address.

The move has been widely condemned by several leaders from CORD and Jubilee including Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale among others who termed it disrespectful to the Presidency.

@benjaminwafula