Tom Ojienda, Jalang'o, Three Others Expelled from ODM

The Orange party on Wednesday expelled five members including Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda and Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor for going against the party's position and engaging in gross misconduct.

This comes after eight rebel ODM MPs were summoned by the party's disciplinary committee in July for supporting a rival political party and contradicting the party's stance. Two of the MPs who appeared before the committee and explained their actions were reprimanded and fined Sh1 million each while Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris was fined Sh250,000 for supporting the Finance Bill 2023. The Orange Democratic Movement party has also recommended the revocation of nomination for four Kisumu MCAs due to gross misconduct.

Caroline Opar, Kennedy Ajwang', Peter Obaso, and Regina Kizito are the members of the ODM party who face disciplinary action from the National Executive Committee (NEC) led by Party Leader Raila Odinga. The disciplinary committee meeting is being held almost a month after the accused members appeared before the Sihanya-led committee to defend themselves against accusations of gross misconduct. As per the ODM constitution, the disciplinary process may result in a member being reprimanded, censured, or fined.

In June, Nairobi Women Representative asserted her loyalty to Azimio despite disobeying ODM leader Raila Odinga's instructions by voting for the Finance Bill 2023. Speaking after the 2023 and 2024 budget was read, Passaris protected her standpoint by affirming that she is committed to serving all Kenyans irrespective of their political affiliations. Passaris voted for the contentious finance Bill in contradiction to the opposition's stance.