Don’t kick out party rebels

As we bid goodbye to Homa Bay Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang’, it is proper to remember what the fallen ODM luminary and icon stood for in matters of party loyalty. Kajwang’ was a firm believer in elected leaders toeing the line of their political party. He was a staunch ODM supporter and extremely loyal to party leader Raila Odinga.

Currently, the Orange party is weathering a storm with several elected leaders accused of being ‘moles’ and disloyal. The so-called rebels include MPs Dalmas Otieno, Ken Obura, Samuel Arama, Augostino Neto and Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga.

For airing their views on politics, the rebels have been threatened with expulsion and even kicked out of parliamentary committees. Some have faced hostile crowds during political meetings. But where do you draw the line between speaking up your mind and going against your party’s ideals?

Freedom of speech is critical to any democracy and a party willing to have on board as many Kenyans as possible. My opinion is that political parties should accommodate divergent views and allow sober debate on issues, so as to boost numbers. Threats of expulsion also send a negative perception to the electorate.

Still, nearly all major political parties are failing the democracy test at least according to the Political Parties Act and in terms of allowing Kenyans have a say on the political platform. Similarly, holding divergent views but not necessarily going against the party constitution should not be an excuse to brand someone a ‘mole’.

Some past attempts to kick out members from a political party are downright unconstitutional and an abuse to democracy. Political parties have party constitutions and procedures, outlining every step of deregistering a member. Rarely, have these rules been used while seeking to ‘discipline’ errant members, especially elected leaders.

UDF has in the recent past tried to kick out Kakamega Senator Bonni Khalwale, nominated Senator Martha Wangari and nominated MP Hassan Osman. URP has also threatened to ‘eject’ Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter.

Now, as MPs come to terms with the turbulence brought about by the Political Parties Act, it would be prudent to clearly state that political parties should not be run as entities belonging to an individual, but as organisations founded on strong policies, owned by members and conducted through strict rules.

That is why I maintain that kicking out the ‘rebels’ is ill-advised and will in the long run kill democracy and freedom of association.