•ODM women MPs ask Jumwa to leave the party without throwing tantrums and bashing Odinga
•She was pushed out following her association with and declaration of support for DP Ruto's presidential bid
Image: FILE
ODM women leaders have urged Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa to stop attacking party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking at a press conference at Orange House yesterday, the women dismissed her claims that Raila was chasing women out of the party.
Jumwa through her allies has over time attacked Raila for 'double speak' by preaching reconciliation through the handshake but refusing to intervene and stop her expulsion from the party for backing Deputy President William Ruto.
The women's statement followed Jumwa’s refusal to engage with county party officials on her expulsion from ODM.
She was pushed out following her association with and declaration of support for DP Ruto's presidential bid.
Jumwa broke the ranks with her party immediately after Raila entered shook hands and declared a truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 9 last year.
At the weekend, she rejected the bid by ODM leaders in Kilifi to have her reconcile with the party and instead said she is not afraid of leaving the party.
“I don’t see the need to convene a meeting when the matter has already been determined. At this time I know who is with me and who is against me,” the Malindi MP said.
Led by deputy secretary general Agnes Zani, the county party members demanded that the expelled MP respects the party leader and the party organs that removed her.
“ODM is a party of structures, procedures, processes, which must be respected. The expulsion was cognisant of the values and ethos of the party,” the nominated senator said.
She was accompanied by MPs Rose Nyamunga (Nominated) and Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua among other women MCAs.
They defended Raila against the accusations saying he has been at the forefront in championing the rights of women, not only in the party but in many other sectors.
“Raila respects women in this party. Jumwa is a commissioner and MP because of the party. There is no part of this country where the party has not taken care of women. It is wrong for any of us to go out and say Raila has chased women out of the party,” Zani said.
She explained that the lawmaker was the cause of her own woes, having failed to appear before the party officials to defend herself.
“As democrats, if you feel the time has come that you want to enjoy other parties and people, all we say is go well and go in peace. Respect our party leader and those of us who respect him," Zani said.
She said problems at the Coast, which Jumwa said ODM has ignored, are being addressed strategically.