I Will Appeal ODM's Decision to Kick Me Out, Jalang'o Says

Langata MP MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o has declared that he will appeal ODM's decision to expel him and four other "rebel" MPs for supporting a rival political party.

Despite the expulsion, Jalang'o claims that he remains a member of ODM until he receives official communication from party leader Raila Odinga. The decision to kick out the MPs was made by ODM's National Executive Committee, citing violations of the party constitution and the Political Parties Act 2011. The MPs had met with President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua in February and pledged to work with him.

"We will be in court until 2027. I am not in a hurry but I am speaking with my lawyers although one of them has also been expelled (Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda)," he said during an interview with TV47 on Thursday.

The lawmaker has insisted that he will remain a member of the outfit until the 2027 general election. Ezekiel Mutua, the head of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, believes that the ODM party's removal of legislators who work with President William Ruto is unjust. Mutua laments that this move is a threat to democracy and freedom of expression. He also believes that it is hypocritical for social democrats to support ODM's decision to expel the five elected members.

"The expulsion of ODM MPs working with the government is wrong and undermines democracy. It's a contradiction in terms to talk of freedom of expression when one cannot tolerate dissent. Sad to see people who claim to be social democrats support the injustice," he said on Wednesday.