ODM seeks to oust Ledama from powerful Senate post

The Orange Democratic movement (ODM) has punished Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina (pictured) by removing him from a powerful Senate committee after he defied the party’s position to get elected as its chair.  

The party, through Minority Leader James Orengo, has given notice to discharge the senator from the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIK), effectively slamming brakes on his ambition.

“In accordance with the Senate Standing Order 190, I hereby give notice of the discharge and removal of Senator Ledama ole Kina from the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) and the Senate Business Committee,” Mr Orengo wrote to House Speaker Kenneth Lusaka. On Tuesday, Mr Kina, backed by four Jubilee senators, trounced Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri, the ODM favourite, in a scheme that caught the Orange party off-guard.

Kina, in a tweet, however, indicated that he was not willing to give up yet, even sharing pictures of his first session as chair.

He dismissed Orengo’s letter saying it has no basis and should be treated with contempt.

“I chaired my second meeting as the duly elected chair of Senate Public Accounts Investment Committee. The letter by Senator Orengo has got no basis and must be treated with contempt,” said Kina on Twitter.

Senate Standing Order 220 specifies that leadership of the committee, mandated to oversight county government expenditure, is reserved for the second largest party or coalition of parties in the Senate.

While ODM bigwigs had given their members express instructions to back Prof Ongeri, Kina pulled a fast one, and with the help of the Jubilee senators, overturned the party wishes.