Allow opposition MPs work with Ruto – Murkomen tells Raila

Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has urged opposition leader Raila Odinga to let Members of Parliament in the ODM party work with the government.

Murkomen said Raila should let the members who want to work with the government do so instead of punishing them.

This comes after Raila okayed the expulsion of five ODM MPs who had publicly switched allegiance to the President.

However, Murkomen said if Raila had agreed on talks between the government and the opposition, he should also allow cooperation for the development of the country.

“You said we should sit down and talk but now there are others who are being disciplined in the party because of sitting down with the president,” Murkomen said.

“If we have agreed that we will sit down together for development purposes and everyone has the right to meet the president and CS Murkomen, therefore, I don’t want anyone to be taken to ODM court for defying orders against sitting down with us.

“I want to work with you people for a long time in this world, especially in matters concerning my Ministry. Therefore Raila, leave these people we work together because it is part of goodwill.”

The MPs who were ejected from the party include Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata) and Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda.

NEC instructed the party to kick out the five from the party register after advancing the interests of rival political outfits.

Raila called the rebels traitors adding that there are proper ways to engage with the Kenya Kwanza government.

He said the MPs don’t need to go to the State House to get development.

"Our party members in direct talks with our opponents are traitors. Let them use the proper channels," he said.

"Development comes via structured processes, not dished out at State House."