ODM expulsions reminder that politicians must toe party lines

Some of the rebel MPs who have been expelled from the party. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has cracked the whip on Members of Parliament who it deems no longer toe the party line.

ODM's National Executive Council has recommended the expulsion of MPs Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu Senator) and Felix Odiwuor (Langata) for their association with the ruling coalition, Kenya Kwanza.

Mark Nyamita (MP Uriri and Paul Abuor (Rongo) were asked to submit written apologies within seven days for the same offense while Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris was directed to also offer a written apology as well as pay Sh250,000 fine for supporting the Finance Act 2023 against ODM's stand.

Political parties, as we all know, do not exist or operate in a vacuum. They have rules that those who seek to join them must read, understand and agree to before joining. These guidelines shape the party's identity and ideologies. Adherence to these rules is not negotiable, and whenever a member ceases to subscribe to them, the honourable thing to do is to resign and sign up with another party whose ideologies one agrees with.

ODM's decision draws justification from Section 14 (5) of the Political Parties Act 2011 and Article 11(1) (e) of ODM's constitution. Both provisions frown upon party hopping. In a nutshell, both provide that a member who promotes the activities of another political party is deemed to have resigned from his or her own party.

Yet, to expel the MPs, section 14(7) of the Political Parties Act 2011 advocating fair hearing must be observed. In that case, when ODM accuses the MPs of dalliance with President William Ruto and Kenya Kwanza it should be proven beyond doubt that such a relationship indeed offends the Political Parties Act 2011 and Article 11 of ODM's constitution. This is because the Constitution protects the freedom of association.

On voting in Parliament, there are some situations that may warrant MPs to vote with their consciences and not necessarily along party lines. While taking such decisions could run counter to the position taken by the party, it should not be viewed as betrayal, rather, a vote taken on principle. In the matter of the Finance Act, Passaris might have genuinely believed the Act was good for Kenyans and voted in its favour.

However, we should all draw the line where the ruling party deliberately sets out to weaken the Opposition. President William Ruto has consistently said he is amenable to a strong Opposition, yet his actions show the opposite. The gusto with which he sought to win Opposition MPs to Kenya Kwanza after he was sworn in last year was cause for concern.

With a weakened opposition and a government that pushes bills through Parliament unchallenged, citizens become the losers. We must have a strong opposition to constantly tap the government on the shoulder whenever it steps out of line.

In all, however, leaders must stick to, and be guided by what they believe in; the ideologies that drove them to the parties of their choice, not what offers them convenience.