ODMs Otuoma accuses defectors of insincerity

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the party’s defectors of insincerity saying they have ignored the laid down procedures of party hopping.

The Funyula MP said that the Legislators, who have defected from their parties, ought to have written to their respective Speakers or Registrar of Political Parties to express their intentions instead of sending mixed signals on their party affiliations.

“You can only say you have defected from a political party after you have written to your Speaker or the Registrar of Political Parties to express your intention,” he said.

“In Kenya, most leaders do not abide by the Constitution and that is why it is easy for them to turn back whenever they have made inciting remarks.”

“I think the happenings currently being witnessed are just sideshows because none of the leaders seem serious with the defection. It is upon the voters to ask the relevant questions and make the leaders declare their stand.”

He clarified that he had only resigned from his position as the Vice Chairman of ODM, but remained a member of the party.

The Registrar of Political Parties, Lucy Ndung’u, last week said that there is a procedure that the Legislators should follow if they wish to effect their defection.

She said that the defectors should write to her or their respective Speakers to make clear their positions, adding that individual parties have no powers to demand for their removal from the parties’ list.

Otuoma also called for a change in the election date saying the current, August 8, 2017, is not tenable.

He stated that it will be a daunting task to ensure a credible election is held in August when the process of appointing new commissioners and procurement of electronic equipment is yet to start.

Meanwhile, a section of ODM defectors are planning to take the party to court over its intentions to expel them following their apparent defection to Jubilee.

All constituent parties in CORD (ODM, Ford Kenya, Wiper) have called on their defectors to leave the parties and prepared for a by-election.

Their desire will, however, be capped by the legal procedure for removing a member from the party list as highlighted by Lucy Ndung’u.

@benjaminwafula