Senator Ojienda, MP Jalang'o break silence after being expelled from ODM

Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda and Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o have broken their silence after being expelled from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

The two were among five perceived rebel party members shown the door by the political outfit’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Wednesday. The others were; MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).

Ojienda and Jalang’o took to social media to react to the news, with the Kisumu Senator claiming his expulsion was due to his working relationship with President William Ruto.

He went ahead to state that he does not regret aligning with the government of the day, and will continue to do so despite being kicked out by the opposition party on whose ticket he clinched the Senate seat.

“My party has today expelled me for working with President William Ruto. I have no apology and will continue to work with the President,” Ojienda wrote on social networking site X, formerly Twitter.

MP Jalang’o, on his part, chose to respond to the news with a Bible quote, and a presumably symbolic photo of himself carrying an evidence box to court during the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party’s presidential election petition.

He wrote: “No trial is too heavy to lift! No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Corinthians 10:13.”

The ousted leaders were accused of violating the ODM party Constitution and the Political Parties Act 2011 by openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political outfit, as well as opposing lawful decisions made by party organs.

Rongo MP Paul Abuor and his Uriri counterpart Mark Nyamita, who also faced similar allegations, were - on the other hand - fined Ksh.1 million each to be paid within 60 days.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris was also reprimanded for her “outright defiance of the party position on the punitive Finance Bill 2023.”

She was ordered to issue a written apology to the party within 7 days, and fined Ksh.250,000 to be paid within 60 days.

My Party has today expelled me for working with HE President William Ruto. I have no apology and will continue to work with the President. https://t.co/zGZ2bsN3gR

No trial is too heavy to lift!
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
CORINTHIANS 10:13 pic.twitter.com/VOXZCLbnLw— JALANG'O (@JalangoMwenyewe) September 6, 2023