Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has announced that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has begun the process of ousting Bondo Member of Parliament (MP) Gideon Ochanda. In a press conference on Monday, February 13, Senator Odinga stated that Ochanda’s conduct in recent weeks had been unacceptable and had threatened the stability of the party.
Senator Odinga emphasized that every party member had the right to express their opinions, but Ochanda had used the wrong channels to do so. He called Ochanda’s actions a weakness for the ODM, and something that the party could no longer tolerate.
The Senator noted that Ochanda’s recent public statements attacking the party were giving their enemies the power to fight the party. He also stated that cowards were moving out of the party and that they were not threatened or afraid of the situation.
The trigger for the ODM’s decision to oust Ochanda was his call on January 15 for supporters of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to embrace President William Ruto. Despite being a member of ODM, Ochanda urged Raila to accept that Ruto was the legitimate president elected by the people.
In conclusion, Senator Odinga stressed that the ODM was not afraid of the situation and that they would continue to work together to ensure the stability of the party. He added that the ODM was also part of the government as parliamentarians and that they would continue to serve their constituents and the country.
