A storm is brewing within Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party following its decision to crack down on members perceived to be going against the party's wishes.
The party has encountered several conflicts with its members at both the county and national levels over allegations of not adhering to the party's directives.
The Saturday Standard has discovered that tensions are intensifying within the party, leading to divisions among key party leaders regarding the decision to take disciplinary actions against prominent members in the National Assembly.
This development arises as those opposed to some of the party's policies become more outspoken in their criticisms and openly challenge the party's stances.
Unlike in the past when the party handled its influential members delicately to safeguard its membership, the political landscape has shifted, and the party seems prepared to address any form of discontent within its ranks.
The party's recent disciplinary measures indicate that even senior members are not exempt from facing disciplinary actions.
At the National Assembly, the party has summoned 28 members concerning the Finance Bill, while at the Senate, the party is preparing for the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol. Oduol has already been suspended by the party and is considered a rebel.
In Nyanza, the party has also expelled several MCAs from committees in the Kisumu and Migori County Assemblies, and two MPs in Migori were expelled from the party yesterday for allegedly aligning themselves with the Kenya Kwanza government.
However, it is the recent summoning of the 28 MPs that has sparked fresh tensions within the Orange party, with some members alleging that certain party officials are misusing their positions to frustrate party members.
On Thursday, the party summoned 28 members whom they accuse of hindering their efforts to reject the controversial Finance Bill of 2023. While four of them voted in favor of the bill, 24 members failed to attend the voting proceedings.
The party believes that by abstaining from voting against the bill, the 24 members effectively voted in favor of Kenya Kwanza and expects an explanation from them regarding their loyalty to the party. Prominent members facing disciplinary action include party chairman John Mbadi, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, and other senior party members.
While some members and analysts view the party's approach as destructive, key party leaders argue that dialogue and disciplinary actions against errant members are necessary to restore order within the Orange party.
"The party has remained silent even when some members failed to attend the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition mass protests called for by the party leader, and this cannot continue," said a member of ODM's disciplinary committee.
In response to the summons issued by party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, key party insiders were devising a strategy to prevent a complete breakdown within the party.
They claimed that only Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris and MPs Aden Mohamed (Wajir South), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), who openly supported the bill, should face consequences.
Sources informed The Saturday Standard that there are concerns that the summoning of members could further weaken the party, which is already grappling with discontent from other members who have previously defied the party's stance.
Key party insiders were working on ways to address the issues without exacerbating divisions and rebellion within the party.
"There is no need to panic. The party is committed to ensuring that everyone follows the party line, and the decision by some members to miss a crucial vote in parliament is unacceptable," said the insider.
Some of the party members who missed the vote blamed Speaker Moses Wetangula, claiming that he played into the hands of the opposition by unexpectedly calling for a vote after Kenya Kwanza had covertly mobilized its supporters.
Mbadi said Kenya Kwanza rushed the passage of the bill and argued that they had anticipated a vote on the bill to take place after the CS for Finance had presented the Budget highlights.
"The majority side had no valid reason to push for a vote on the Finance Bill in the hasty manner they did," said Mbadi.
