Members of the Nairobi County Assembly allied to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) of Senator Edwin Sifuna are set to be removed from their influential positions in the House.
According to credible sources at City Hall, the move is in response to two MCAs' continued support for the rival party, despite having been elected and nominated to the Assembly on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in the 2022 polls.
The two MCAs being targeted are Majority Chief Whip Moses Ogeto and Perpetua Mponjiwa Okello, who was nominated by the party.
Mr Ogeto is serving his third term in the Assembly as the Kilimani MCA in Dagoretti North Constituency. He has represented the ward since 2013 as a member of the ODM party and was a close ally of the late ODM founder Raila Odinga.
Majority Chief Whip Moses Ogeto at a past event.
Ms Mponjiwa serves as the chairperson of the Nairobi County Assembly's Education Committee, which is one of the influential seats in the committees. She has also expressed interest in the Kileleshwa Ward seat, which is currently being held by ODM MCA, Robert Alai.
“Yes, it is true. A motion is ready and would be tabled any moment from now. The motion is targeting two leaders in the house who have been openly supporting the rival party and continue to enjoy the benefits courtesy of ODM party,” the source who requested to remain anonymous told Nation .
In an interview with Nation, Mr Ogeto said that he had also been informed about the plan to kick him from his position.
However, he stated that since the death of Mr Odinga, ODM party has lost the principles that its founder held: serving the people rather than politicians' interests.
“These people are no longer doing what Baba used to do, and that is why we part ways. Baba was the people and theirs is about money. Baba used to give me instructions on how to defend the people, but today, no one wants to defend the people,” Mr Ogeto said.
Mr Ogeto said that if he is removed as the Whip, it will have limited negative impact on him since the assembly is about to break for a long recess and resumes in February and thereafter prepares to go for a sine die adjournment.
He has expressed interests for the Dagoretti North MP seat which is being held by Beatrice Elachi of ODM.
“Logically, we have about one month to seat in that Assembly. But even if they decide to remove us, under which procedure will they do that? Just because I joined Linda Mwananchi? I’m not afraid of their action because I’m close to the people and I have served my members diligently.”
For him, joining Sifuna’s side has made him more popular on the grassroots, expressing his confidence in clinching the seat for the first time.
If removed, Mr Ogeto’s position will be taken by his deputy Stazo Omung'ala Elija Ang'ila, who is the MCA for the Upper Savannah Ward.
Attempts to contact the Majority Leader of the Nairobi County Assembly Peter Imwatok for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
