Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, former counsellor Kipkorir Menjo and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma have been kicked out of ODM NEC.
Deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Ruth Odinga (Kisumu Woman Representative) are also earmarked.
The high-stakes National Executive Committee meeting is currently ongoing amid growing indications that the fate of secretary general Edwin Sifuna could also be decided.
This is the second NEC sitting since the demise of the party’s long-serving leader Raila Odinga in October last year.
In its first meeting, the committee appointed Oburu Oginga to take over from Raila, bypassing the three deputy party leaders.
Today’s meeting carries strong undertones of possible leadership changes.
Officially, however, the agenda is to receive a briefing from the party’s Central Management Committee on coalition building and preparations for the National Delegates Convention.
The Star has established there is a quiet push to replace Sifuna with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma.
Sources say efforts to instal Otuoma as secretary general have gained momentum among a section of party honchos who argue that ODM needs someone who can work seamlessly with party leader Oburu.
Already, some of Sifuna’s known allies have been dropped from the NEC WhatsApp communication platform, a move insiders interpret as pointing to a possible purge during today’s meeting.
The NEC is also expected to read the riot act to dissenters opposed to the party’s decision to collaborate with President William Ruto’s UDA party.
A member of the NEC, who requested anonymity because he is not mandated to speak on behalf of the committee, said recent developments point to a plot to effect changes.
“That is possible [removal of Sifuna] because some of his people have been removed from the NEC group and they have not been invited for the Mombasa meeting,” the source told the Star in confidence.
The push to remove Sifuna came days after National Treasury CS John Mbadi called for his suspension, accusing him of going against the party’s position.
“Someone like Sifuna will not remain in ODM because already he is conflicted. He is now selling the agenda of someone else. Why are you pretending? You cannot keep him in the party,” the Treasury CS said.
Sifuna could not be reached for a comment.
However, according to the ODM Party Constitution, a member of the party should officially file a complaint to the Disciplinary Committee registering a misconduct.
The Disciplinary Committee shall, after a determination of facts on a complaint, make recommendation to the NEC which shall have the power to pass a penalty including, expulsion.
There are no indications against any such complaint against Sifuna.
by GEOFFREY MOSOKU
