Raila says Jumwa can be spared if she apologises

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga says Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa can be spared expulsion from the ODM if she apologises for violating party rules.

Mr. Odinga was speaking on Tuesday morning at Kibera area where he had visited victims of the Toi market fire that caused a huge destruction and where he warned land grabbers to keep off public land.

“Dori aliomba msamaha na tukakubali, Jumwa akiomba msamaha pia tutamsamehe” (We forgave Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori after he apologised. If Aisha Jumwa does the same, we will forgive her too ),” said the ODM leader.

The ODM disciplinary committee recommended the expulsion of Jumwa and Dori for openly supporting Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential ambitions.

The party’s National Governing Council (NGC), however, reconsidered the decision to kick out Dori after he apparently apologised to the party.

“Having received a letter of apology from Hon. Suleiman Dori, the members resolved to defer their decision,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on March 1.

Jumwa, however, remains defiant and has since moved to court to challenge her expulsion, which could see her lose her parliamentary seat.

If her appeal in court fails Malindi voters will have to go back to the ballot as she was elected on an ODM ticket.

Meanwhile, a Nairobi court has extended orders barring Jumwa’s expulsion from ODM until May 7, 2019 when her case will be heard.