Jalango and 4 Other ODM Rebels Are No longer MPs

The constitution unequivocally outlines the consequences for Members of Parliament (MPs) expelled by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Herman Manyora, a prominent political analyst, asserts that in accordance with the law, such individuals forfeit their parliamentary privileges.

Their expulsion effectively disqualifies them as party members, the same party that initially endorsed their parliamentary candidacy, rendering them non-MPs.

Manyora emphasized this point during a Friday interview on KTN, emphasizing that the Constitution explicitly dictates that once ODM expels an individual from their party, that person ceases to hold the status of a Member of Parliament.

Now, only the Registrar of Political Parties and the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal possess the authority to potentially delay the removal of these expelled MPs from parliament.

This legal provision leaves no room for ambiguity, ensuring that the consequences of party expulsion on parliamentary status are clearly defined and followed through.

“According to Article 99(c) a very critical requirement is that you have to be a member of a political party. So, the moment your political party expels you, you are no longer a member of Parliament,” he said.

This is after ODM expelled five of its MPs for betrayal, after they chose to work with President William Ruto, who the ODM leadership maintains is illegitimately in office and is a product of rigging.

They are Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Elisha Ochieng’ Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata).

But some members of the group have vowed to fight back, with Jalang’o defiantly declaring that he will be in office until the completion of his term.

The expulsion followed disciplinary hearings where the rebels were given opportunity to explain themselves before the Benard Sihanya-led Disciplinary Committee.

The group has been working with Ruto despite warnings from ODM and even teamed up with the Kenya Kwanza side in voting for the Finance Bill.