ODM suspends MP Baya over links with DP Ruto

The Orange Democratic Movement has suspended Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya over links with DP William Ruto.

The party on Saturday said its National Executive Council had resolved to suspend the legislator over his recent political moves.

Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the move came following a two-day retreat at Stoni Athi Resort in Athi River.

He said as a result of the suspension, the MP  had also been relieved of his post as the party’s deputy organising secretary.

"Cognisant of the central role that the party's NEC plays in the management of the party and the need to maintain the probity of its deliberations, the NEC resolved to suspend Hon. Owen Baya, the MP for Kilifi North from membership of this critical organ and from his position as the Deputy Organisisng Secretary given his recent utterances and conduct that have cast doubt on his commitment to this party and its onbjectives," Sifuna said.

On Wednesday, Baya was part of a delegation of Coast MPs that escorted Feisal Abdallah Bader, an aspirant for the Msambweni parliamentary seat, to meet Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen office.

The MP was in June last year grilled over incitement remarks he made.

The MP had told residents to evict non-locals would acquire land in the region.

His woes seem to have escalated after he accompanied the Msambweni aspirant to DP's Karen home.

ODM will be fielding a candidate in the Msambweni by-election and has reached an agreement with Jubilee not to field their candidate.

DP Ruto however contested his party's move saying he would have wanted to have a candidate battle with ODM.

Ruto on Wednesday said Jubilee is a national party that believes in the unity of the country.

This he said should be displayed by giving every Kenyan an opportunity to express themselves through participation in elections which is the party's cardinal principal.

 "I had a different view on fielding a candidate in Musabweni but I came here and I have been briefed about the decision that has been made and I want to assure the party membership that we stand by it," he said.

He added, "Those who intended to contest in the by-election on a Jubilee ticket will have to look for alternative avenues and either run as independent candidates or join other political parties".

He said going forward, the Jubilee party will participate in all elections as it should as it ready's for the future.

"We shall have a meeting with the Secretary-General to ready the members for party elections when normalcy returns. It is important for members across the country to make a decision on their party officials ahead of the coming election," Ruto said.