Tribunal extends order barring ODM from expelling Jumwa

The Political Parties Tribunal has extended conservatory orders barring ODM from expelling Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa from the party pending the hearing and determination of the complaint she lodged at the tribunal.

Through lawyer Kipchumba Murkomen who is also the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, the legislator argues that the decision to expedite her from the party was unlawful.

The case will be heard on May 7.

ODM have also been given 10 days to file responses to the complainant.

The Registrar of Political Parties has also been removed from the case by consent.

The Registrar told the court that they are not party to the case since they have not removed her name from the party list.

They are now an interested party in the case.

Early last month, ODM’s National Governing Council ratified its executive council decision to kick out  Jumwa.

The top party’s organ, however, gave a lifeline to Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori who had also been recommended for expulsion.

Addressing the delegates, party leader Raila Odinga sent a strong warning to members who hide under the handshake to undermine the party saying the party will not hesitate taking action against any disloyal member.

 “If a child makes a mistake and he begs for forgiveness, as a good father you must invite him to the table and talk to him,” Raila told the delegates during the closed-door meeting.

But Murkomen lashed out at ODM for expelling Jumwa saying it's hypocritical.

Murkomen said ODM was using its party machinery to unfairly punish leaders from marginalised areas.

He said the party’s top leadership is working with the government but it expelled Jumwa for associating with DP William Ruto.

“I want to tell this characters who pretend to be agents of democracy and they are lords presiding over the worst dictatorship in this republic that we will not watch our colleagues being sacrificed, tortured, as if they don’t belong to this country,” Murkomen said.