Elizabeth Ongoro dealt a blow as ODM locks her out of Ruaraka

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) disciplinary committee on Thursday, April 13 slapped Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro with a fine of Ksh1 million for leading her supporters in invading Orange House and roughing up Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen on April 5.

The committee also barred Ms Ongoro from seeking the Orange party’s ticket for Ruaraka constituency, and ordered her to seek an alternative constituency, following a spate of violence between her supporters and those of the incumbent MP T.J. Kajwang’ , that led to the deaths of two people during a deadly clash mid last month.

T.J. Kajwang, on the other hand, was cautioned against fueling his supporters to violence and asked to “reaffirm his commitment to the Orange party”.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who also appeared before the ODM disciplinary committee on Monday, April 10, has been fined Ksh2 million over chaos that rocked Migori during ODM Deputy Party Leader Hassan Joho’s visit of the Nyanza County early April, resulting in the shooting and injuring of the Mombasa County chief’s bodyguard.

The decision to bar Ongoro from vying for Ruaraka parliamentary seat can, however, be ratified by the ODM Central Management Committee chaired by party leader, Raila Odinga.

If the committee upholds the disciplinary committee’s decision, then Ongoro’s goose is cooked since ODM’s aspirants’ list has already been gazetted by IEBC in compliance with the electoral timelines issued by the commission.

Her lifeline would be the window period given by the IEBC for those who would wish to vie as independent candidates in the upcoming general election.

The ODM party Constitution, however, provides for appellate mechanism, meaning Ms Ongoro can appeal the disciplinary committee’s decision.

Ongoro is no stranger to electoral violence. In the run up to the 2007 General Election, her supporters clashed with those of her then-rival for the Kasarani Parliamentary seat popularly known as ‘Mama Fagilia’. In 2013, she was forced to quit the Nairobi Senate seat race, to pave way for Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, as part of the political horse trading in CORD.

The punitive measures meted on Ongoro and Obado meant to serve as a warning to ODM aspirants, as the party conducts nominations for candidates who will fly its flag in various elective seats in August. Odinga has warned aspirants against fanning violence.