By-elections aftermath: UDA, ODM plot purge on rebel MPs

The Broad-Based government is planning a huge purge on rebel MPs this week following last Thursday’s outcome of the by-elections in which ODM and UDA stamped their authority.

Buoyed by the results, the two parties are now planning to discipline MPs and Senators who went against them and supported rival candidates.

Among those allegedly targeted are Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali ‘Jicho Pevu’, who are targeted for removal as Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) members.

Omogeni, who was nominated by ODM, and Ali represents the ruling UDA, are said to be going against their party positions.

Ali campaigned for a DCP candidate in Magarini against the wish of UDA, which supported ODM’s Harrison Kombe, who eventually won.

On the other side, Omogeni, who is a key ally of presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i, was among the supporters of candidates who won in a ‘Matiang’i-friendly’ party in Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya and Ekerenyo Ward by-elections in Nyamira County.

Also on the chopping board is Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who defied his UDA position by campaigning for DAP-K’s Seth Panyako against David Nandwa.

The ruling UDA and its partner ODM have confirmed the impending changes, which will also affect departmental committee leadership and membership in both the National Assembly and Senate.

The two parties insist that MPs hold parliamentary leadership or committee membership on behalf of their parties, and whenever they disagree with the parties that sponsored them, it’s only wise to quit to be removed.

“When by-elections are held, we have to create space for the new entrants. That is provided by the standing orders,” Minority Leader Junet Mohamed told the Star Sunday morning.

“All those will be dealt with during the changes,” Junet said when asked about the plan to discipline rebel MPs and the plan to replace PSC commissioners.

On its side, UDA secretary general Hassan Omar did not mince his words, saying, those who defied their parties should have quit before they are forced out.

“These people should give up these positions and seek fresh mandate; they can’t have their cake and eat it. Senator Okong’o, for instance, should do an honourable thing and give ODM their position as Ali, who is in PSC courtesy of UDA,” Omar said.

Other than the three, MPs allied to the Kenya Moja are among those targeted.

They include ODM rebels Athony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Caleb Amisi (Sabaoti), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Jack Wamboka (Bumula) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula).

There have also been forces pushing for the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, not only as ODM Secretary General but also as Deputy Minority Whip.

It is not clear if ODM and UDA will succeed in removing Omogeni and Ali from PSC, given that a similar attempt by ODM during the handshake regime to replace Aisha Jumwa failed, since PSC is a constitutional commission.  

The planned changes mirror similar events when the rebel Jubilee MPs allied to the ‘Tanga Tanga’ wing of Deputy President William Ruto, now president, were removed following a fallout with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in the last parliament.

Current Deputy President Kihure Kindiki was replaced as Deputy Speaker of the Senate, while Health CS Aden Duale and his Interior Affairs counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen were removed as majority leaders of the National Assembly and Senate, respectively.

The changes also saw Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika lose her Majority Whip seat in changes that also saw six MPs, then allied to Ruto, kicked out of different committees.