A lawyer has petitioned the ODM party to expel Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai for going against party ideology and pledging allegiance to the Kenya Kwanza government.
In a letter to the party via Aguko, Osman & Company advocates, lawyer and ODM party member Gad Aguko said Lomorukai broke the party constitution and violated the Political Parties Act by associating with the ruling coalition No. 11 of 2012.
The section of the law states that a member of a political party is deemed to have resigned if that person joins another political party or promotes the ideologies interests or policies of another.
“Consequently, as a result of the conduct of Hon Jeremiah Lomorukai, which we consider amounts to resignation, this is to humbly request you to immediately proceed and initiate the process of striking his name from the Party Members Register by provisions of section 14A(2) and 3 of the Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2012,” Aguko said.
The lawyer alleged that the governor shifted allegiance to Kenya Kwanza during the Turkana Cultural and Tourism Festival held on October 12 in Lodwar.
He claimed the governor made the remarks indicating support for President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance to subject the ODM party and its leader Raila Odinga to “ridicule, embarrassment, anxiety and disgust”.
“Lomorukai even preceded to declare that he was going to rally all voters of Turkana party to vote in favour of the UDA Party leader H.E William Ruto to ensure the latter rules Kenya as the President for 14 years which is in contravention of presidential term limits.”
Aguko wants the party to commence the removal of the governor within seven days should he be found culpable of the accusations levelled against him.
He said should the period lapse before the party takes any action, he will use the letter as evidence to file a complaint with ODM’s Disciplinary Committee in line with the party Constitution.
“We shall then proceed to draw up and file an appropriate charge sheet with the committee.”
In a statement on its X handle, ODM acknowledged receiving the letter and said it would act on the request in line with the party Constitution.
“The Party receives this letter calling for the expulsion of the Governor of Turkana Jeremiah Napotikan Lomorukai from the party. Necessary action shall be taken following the Constitution of the party and the relevant laws that govern political parties,” the party said.
“Our client’s further humble prayer is that pending the decisions, action or grant of the two aforementioned prayers, the said governor be forthwith de-whipped and or recalled by the party from any leadership positions and/or committee held within the party having been enabled as such by his membership in the Orange Democratic Movement whose ideologies he no longer ascribes to,” the law firm said.
During the Turkana cultural event, Raila was denied a chance to address the crowd.
He addressed the media at the Lodwar airstrip and condemned the act which he blamed on a senior county leader.
“I lead a political party and when I come people want me to talk. It’s stupidity to deny me an opportunity to speak to people,” he said.
By Star