Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, ODM rebels removed from key Parliamentary committees

The Orange Democratic Movement on Tuesday, February24 removed several MPs perceived to be opposed to the broad-based government from influential parliamentary committees, reassigning them to less powerful positions in what party leaders described as a firm disciplinary step. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi was ousted from the powerful Constitution Implementation and Oversight Committee, where he served as chairperson. His position has been taken over by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, a recent supporter of the broad-based government. Omondi, who was recently declared Secretary General of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, is among several lawmakers targeted in what party insiders described as the first phase of a wider reorganization. Minority Leader Junet Mohammed signaled that the purge would continue, warning that dissenters would face consequences. “I wish I go back as a whip, I used to be dangerous. Those people playing with the party, ningenyoa hao bila maji,” he said, adding that members who defy party positions would lose their committee privileges. Also affected is Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who was moved from the influential Agriculture Committee to the less prominent Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities. Ruth, sister to the late former ODM party leader Raila Odinga, has been a vocal critic of the broad-based government and a strong defender of embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. In another change, Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi was removed from the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education and replaced by first term Kasipul MP Boyd Were. Party leaders indicated that the reshuffle marks only the beginning of a broader effort to enforce discipline within ODM. “I am serving a warning. Anyone who will not adhere to party position will relinquish their committee positions to lesser ones, so that they know that it is parties which reward people to positions,” Junet said.