The eleven MCAs from Kisumu County Assembly held talks with Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.

An ODM Parliamentary Group meeting called by the County Assembly Majority Leader Mr. Ken Oluoch on March 5 resolved that the 11 be de-whipped for being disloyal to the party.

Effectively those MCAs serving in more than one Committee were relieved and left with only a single Committee to serve on.

The Majority Whip, Seth Ochieng Kanga said that serving in Committees is a privilege accorded by the membership to a party while the MCAs had shown disloyalty to the party that sponsored them to those committees.

“Committee membership is a privilege you enjoy because of the party. When you feel like you don’t believe in your party’s ideologies or the leadership, the only honorable thing is to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the people,” Mr. Kanga said.

The delegation which was led by Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda consisted of Mr. Tom Nyaoke (North Nyakach), Mr. Calvin Oraro (Kolwa Central), Ms. Regina Kizito (Muhoroni/Koru), Mr. Vincent Odhiambo (Central Nyakach), and Mr. Tom Onditi (Ombeyi).

Also present were Mr. Gard Olima (Southwest Nyakach), Mr. Habil Nyasuna (Masogo Nyang’oma), Mr. Frederick Odari (Chemelil Tamu), Ms. Millicent Omuya (North Seme) and Ms. Lawino Opar (Nominated).

Independent candidate Mr. Bill Odhiambo of Kobura Ward also accompanied the ODM Party MCAs.

Prof. Tom Ojienda was also in the delegation which paid Dr. Ruto a visit at State House, Nairobi.

The decision to de-whip was officially communicated from the chair by the Assembly Speaker Elisha Jack Oraro on Tuesday 7 March 2023.

The Orange Democratic Movement Party through leader Raila Amollo Odinga statutorily does not recognize Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s legitimacy as the President of the Republic of Kenya.