MPs Jumwa, Dori faced with ODM exit blame Joho for troubles

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa (right) and Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori addressing the press after appearing before the ODM NEC committee. [Beverlyne Musili/Standard]

Two Coast ODM MPs facing expulsion from the party have blamed Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho for their tribulations.

MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Suleiman Dori (Msambweni) were yesterday kicked out of the party by the National Executive Council (NEC), although the decision is awaiting final ratification.

Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori claimed that Mr Joho was using his position as the deputy party leader to settle political scores and undermine those opposed to his style of leadership.

During an extraordinary NEC meeting, members of the party, which is led by Opposition leader Raila Odinga, resolved to eject the two MPs for backing Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid.

Joho did not attend the sitting, which was chaired by his co-deputy and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, at a Nairobi hotel.

MPs Mohamed Ali (Nyali), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Lamu Senator Anwar Loitiptip, who accompanied Jumwa and Dori, said they were ready to take the political battle to the governor’s doorstep.

The decision kicked off a process that could see the two MPs lose their parliamentary seats.

“The NEC adopted the recommendation of the disciplinary committee to have Jumwa and Dori expelled from the party and forwarded the same recommendation to the National Governing Council (NGC) for ratification,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

De-whip MPs

The party also directed Minority Whip Junet Mohammed to inform National Assembly Speaker Justine Muturi of its decision to de-whip the two members from all House teams.

“That the two be de-whipped from all parliamentary committees they serve in in the National Assembly with immediate effect, and that the minority whip should move with speed to make the communication to the leadership of the House.”

Jumwa also risks being kicked out of the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), which could see her lose her enhanced staff, official vehicle as well as hefty allowances.

In a show of solidarity, a host of Coast MPs accompanied Jumwa and Dori when they appeared before the NEC and vowed to fight against what they termed victimisation of their colleagues.

Jumwa, who has been defiant, earlier in the day appeared conciliatory when she asked the party to forgive them “in the spirit of the handshake’ while thanking Raila for granting them the opportunity to defend themselves before the top party organ.

“In the spirit of the handshake, is there anything that cannot be forgiven? Everything is now water under the bridge,” she told reporters after walking out of the grilling.

She claimed the disciplinary committee that recommended their expulsion was not properly constituted, as it only had the chairman, Fred Athuok.

“We will not allow a few individuals to mislead the party. There was no disciplinary committee but an individual. It is therefore not true that we appeared before a committee,” she said.

Dori said they would remain members of ODM, adding that they did not have a problem with Raila and the party. “We are still members of the party and MPs until 2022.”

But Mr Ali and Mr Baya spoke bluntly, saying the woes facing the two leaders were being orchestrated by Joho.

The Nyali MP, who severed links with Joho in the run-up to the 2017 General Election after losing the ODM ticket, accused the governor of bulldozing leaders in the region to “hero-worship him”.

Declare war

“These fights are not about the party but about Mombasa politics. We have declared war and we will bring it to Mombasa. The fight is by a person who doesn’t want other leaders to grow,” said Ali.

The NEC meeting is said to have decided to expel the MPs “to instill discipline in the party”.

“They were remorseful but we made the decision so that others don’t take advantage to go against the party in future,” said a senior council member.

The matter will now go to the NGC for ratification. The council comprises 52 NEC members, all party governors, and elected MPs and senators.

Ratification of the decision will require approval by two-thirds of the membership.