MPs say move to expel them futile

By Nation ReporterPosted Monday, March 7 2011 at 22:00

Two MPs threatened with expulsion from the Orange Democratic Movement on Monday described the hard-line position by the party as futile.

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Assistant minister Aden Duale and Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto separately said ODM leaders who want them to lose their parliamentary seats were relying on provisions in the new Constitution that are suspended until after 2012.

They vowed to continue hitting hard at the leadership of the party, which they described as undemocratic and a dictatorship.

“I have talked to various people who would be involved if we were to face such action and they have said it is all futile. The law is very clear that we cannot lose our seats in such a manner,” the Dujis MP, Mr Duale, said.

Mr Ruto said the constitutional provisions in Chapters Seven (Representation of the People) and Eight (Legislature) have been suspended until after the next General Election. He argued MPs can only lose their seats under the provisions of the old Constitution.

“I am in Parliament under the provision of the old Constitution, which says that I can only lose my seat if I become bankrupt; if I go mad or through an election petition. This doesn’t include (ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo) Midiwo writing a letter to the Registrar of Political Parties or some like that,” he said.

They were referring to the decision by ODM leadership, through Mr Midiwo, to write to the Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u urging her to ask National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende to declare their seats vacant.

Lost their seats

Mr Midiwo claimed the two MPs have flouted the Political Parties Act by publicly fronting for the United Democratic Movement, a party which ironically partnered with ODM in the last elections.

Last week, Ms Ndung’u threw back the challenge to ODM, asking them to initiate the process that will culminate in her writing to the Speaker over the two allies of suspended minister William Ruto.

The Eldoret North MP does not see to eye with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the ODM party leader.