The removal of Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o from the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) party, according to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, will prevent him from winning reelection in the general elections of 2027.
Jalang’o’s expulsion won’t be reversed, and the party won’t support him in the 2027 elections, said Senator Sifuna.
He claimed that even if the courts deliver a ruling protecting Jalang’o from the dismissal, ODM will still proceed with its decision since it is entirely guided by its constitution.
“As a political party we are going to follow our constitution and when we are done with our process we let the court do whatever it wants,” he said speaking on Radio 47 on Tuesday.
“I have told Jalang’o to stop listening to the counsel of others. If at all you will survive with a court order until 2027 you will not get the Langata MP seat again.”
Sifuna, who serves as the ODM’s Secretary General, added that the party is adamant about using all legal means to carry out the expulsion.
He declared that in order to officially implement the expulsion decision, he will now seek permission from the party’s National Governing Council (NGC).
“We have started early and we are already done with the disciplinary committee, recommendations have already been submitted to NEC,” he said.
“The fact that our court system is not working does not mean that we as a party will not take any action. We will do what we are able to do. It does not matter how long it will take but we must do what the law allows us to do.”
Sifuna added that all party members supported the choice to oust Jalang’o and four other people who were seen as rebellious party members.
Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Felix Odiwuor ‘Jalang’o’ (Lang’ata), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda are the five that were expelled on September 6.
The five expelled parliamentarians were charged with breaking both the Political Parties Act of 2011 and the ODM party’s constitution by publicly supporting the actions of a rival political group and defying legitimate decisions made by party organs.
Thus, they are “deemed to have resigned,” according to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), who will now “commence the process of removing them from the register.”