Parties struggling to deal with 'rebels'

Leaders of top political parties are taking punitive measures to stop growing discontent and stamp their authority.

Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been in the limelight more often, but it is hardly a bed of roses in other parties including Deputy President William Ruto's United Republican Party (URP) and Musalia Mudavadi's United Democratic Front (UDF).

The major parties have been rocked by divisions stoked by, among others, fiercely ambitious and youthful leaders seeking to wrestle control from veterans. They are unhappy with the way party affairs are being conducted, including disagreements over political causes like the referendum.

While the wrangles in ODM are stoked by competition for leadership and a fallout following Raila's failed bid for the presidency and botched party elections, Ruto's URP is fighting differences over the Opposition's referendum campaign.

URP has cautioned Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who is also the Council of Governors chairman, to "go slow" on the Pesa Mashinani referendum campaign or face disciplinary action.

URP Secretary General Fred Muteti said Ruto has been warned and should he continue to undermine the party, they will summon him to appear before a party disciplinary committee.

"We had a case of Bomet Members of County Assembly and they were warned and they pledged to remain loyal to the party," said Muteti.

He said any member not willing to abide by the party's constitution and the Political Parties Act should be dealt with according to the law.

Today, Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Martha Wangare (nominated) and nominated MP Hassan Osman are looking to the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT's) verdict as their last chance to save their seats following their expulsion from UDF.

And Raila, battling growing rebellion, is reportedly exploring similar drastic action to deal with perceived rebels.

MPs Dalmas Otieno (Rongo) and Ken Obura (Kisumu Central) were summoned by ODM's National Executive Council to appear before the party's disciplinary committee to answer to allegations of undermining the party that sponsored them to the National Assembly.

watch list

"Otieno and Obura's cases are extreme and they will have to put up a serious defence before the disciplinary committee. We have just commenced the initial process to kick them out of the party," said a member of a self-styled "rapid response team" seeking to restore order in ODM. 

MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Abdulkadir Aden (Balambala), Florence Mutua (Busia), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) and T J Kajwang (Ruaraka) want to send a strong message to the "rebels" on their "watch list".

"The party must satisfy the political parties requirements in seeking de-registration of an elected member. The process is going to be immediate," the source told The Standard. Their thinking is that the party must ensure some rebels lose their seats to serve as a lesson to other dissenters.

Another member of the team said once the two MPs appear before either the Fred Athuok-led committee that was to probe embattled Executive Director Magerer Lang'at, or Senator Otieno Kajwang's disciplinary committee, the party will take necessary action.

"Once the party exhausts all its internal mechanisms in disciplining a rebel, we will forward our verdict to the Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung'u to formally instigate the process of their de-registration," he explained.

He added: "Once Ndung'u completes the de-registration process, she is required to forward the same to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to declare the seat vacant, and organise for a by-election."

IEBC Chairman Issack Hassan said the Constitution provides that the commission declares a seat vacant once it gets official communication from the Registrar of Political Parties.

"Once she informs us that a member has been expelled from his political party or is no longer a member, we immediately proceed to declare the respective constituency vacant. Our actions will be dictated by the registrar's confirmation," Hassan told The Standard.

ODM is considering sanctions against other rebels, including kicking them out of parliamentary committees.

"The first phase is that of de-whipping the defiant members, who have decided to shift their allegiance. Those who consistently oppose and contradict the party's position will face a harsh penalty," said another MP.

However, to withdraw their members from committees, parties must move a motion in the National Assembly and have it approved by the House.

Those targeted include John Waluke (Sirisia), Zainab Chizunga (Kwale), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West) and Dan Kazungu (Malindi).

The party is said to be also considering the removal of Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba as Public Accounts Committee chairman.

Minority Whip Thomas Mwadegu (Wundayi) has been directed to formally write to members explaining the decision taken against them and the reasons.

Others on the party's radar are Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), David Ochieng' (Ugenya), Gideon Mwadegu (Kilifi North), George Oner (Rangwe) and Sylvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul). 

Lugari MP Ayub Savula said once the PPDT delivers its verdict today on Khalwale, Wangari and Osman, UDF officials will meet and decide on the way forward.

selfish benefit

"We really are not interested in kicking anybody out because we need everyone on board as we prepare for the 2017 elections," said Savula.

"I was elected on an Opposition ticket and there was no way I could join the Government even as my party boss crossed over. The reason I am being fought in UDF is because I chose the path of fighting corruption rather than joining alliances for selfish benefit, nothing else my people," Khalwale said.

"While in Oyugi, Migori County, there was a general feeling that there are MPs who are not firmly behind the ideals of the party and should be reminded to stand with their party's position by complying with ideologies," said ODM's Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town). 

Kaluma, who is a member of the Kajwang-led disciplinary committee, said no firm decision was taken on any member at their Friday meeting with Raila. 

"What agitated the public was lack of information on the whereabouts of some members including Augustino Neto (Ndhiwa) and Gladys Wanga (MP, Homa Bay).

"There is no form of reprimand yet. We must discipline our members based on the rules and constitution of a party. When we reach this point, which is most unlikely, the members must be given a fair hearing," he added.