ODM wants 13 members who have joined the recently launched Jubilee Party to be expelled and by-elections held to replace them. The party yesterday issued a show-cause letter to governors and legislators who it accuses of breaching the law by belonging to two political parties at the same time.
They are required to respond in writing within seven days to explain why they should not be expelled for contravening the Political Parties Act. The affected include Governors Ukur Yattani (Marsabit), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, MPs Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale), Steven Kariuki (Mathare), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North) and Musatafa Iddi (Kilifi South). Others are Cyprian Kubai (Igembe Central), Isaac Mwaura (Nominated), James Rege (Karachuonyo), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West) and John Waluke (Sirisia).
Speaking to People Daily on phone, the chairman of the party’s Disciplinary Committee Fred Athuok said the Committee will not hesitate to recommend expulsion if they fail to respond within seven days.
“If they do not show cause within the next seven days, we are going to recommend their immediate expulsion,” Athuok said on phone. He added: “We have issued a show-cause letter as a formality because if you do not follow the procedure, you face a lot of technicalities. In fact, we are pushing for a by-election in those areas.
The law does not allow you to belong to two political parties. This is a breach of the Constitution.” The party, he said, had furnished the Political Parties Tribunal and Registrar of Political Parties with copies of the letters.
If ODM succeeds in forcing by-elections for the seats, the country will be thrown into a General Election mood, considering that Ford Kenya has also indicated that it may take similar action against rebels. Last week, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula said Cord will “swing the sword of law” to push all defectors back to the ballot to seek a fresh mandate.
The post ODM wants by-elections for 13 seats appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.