Why MP Caleb Amisi was removed from ODM NEC

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, former counsellor and Eldoret-based farmer Kipkorir Menjo and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma have been removed from ODM NEC.

The three were removed from the decision-making organ of ODM after they were elected as chairmen of their respective branches; thus, disqualifying from serving in the NEC.

Accordingly, ODM wrote letters to the trio informing them of this requirement by law, and removed them from a WhatsApp group of the NEC as well.

“We write to formally acknowledge and congratulate you on your election as the ODM chairperson for Trans Nzoia following the recently concluded grassroots elections,” a letter dated February 6 says.

The letter signed by ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen cites the ODM constitution, which states that no party officials can hold two positions concurrently.

“As you are aware, your election to this county office has a constitutional implication on your current position with the party. In accordance to Article 92 of the party constitution, which expressly provides that “All Party officials shall not hold more that one office in the party”, your assumption of office of the county chairpersons ipso facto extinguishes your membership as the deputy national organising secretary in the NEC of the Party,” the letter says.

Mwaruma, who was one of the vice chairmen of the party, has also been removed having been elected the chairperson of Taita Taveta branch while Arap Menjo, a long time ally of former party leader Raila Odinga has been removed as secretary for devolved government having won the Uasin Gishu branch elections.

The trio got their letters just a few days to today’s NEC meeting that has been called to among others, decide the fate of secretary general Edwin Sifuna.

Amisi, alongside another NEC member Senay or Godfrey Osotsi (deputy party leader), Ruth Odinga (deputy organising secretary) and Babu Owino (secretary for science and technology) are among vocal opponents of a planned pre-election coalition talks with President Ruto’s UDA.  

ODM insiders, say although, Amisi has been informed of the constitutionals requirement, the timing of the communication was suspect as it comes just before the crucial meeting. 

The NEC is currently underway at the Pride Inn hotel, in Mombasa with Sifuna yet to arrive. ODM supporters who are not members of the NEC are milling around the hotel with fears that some of the have been mobilised to forcibly eject Sifuna.

Reports indicate that the party NEC may resolve to replace Sifuna with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma.

Sifuna and his team have vowed to block any planed coalition agreement with UDA insisting ODM must field a presidential candidate in next year’s polls.