Political Parties Expell, Discipline Errant Members in Readiness for 2022 Polls

The Kenyan political class from nearly all political parties in Kenya had misconduct and associate challenges in the past elections. However, most politicians seem to have mastered the game and are already planning to encounter the present and future challenges.

Major political parties such as ODM, KANU, and Jubilee have cracked the whip on rebels as realignments ahead of the 2022 General Election takes shape. 

The ruling party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya are taking a raft of measures to restore discipline and loyalty to the party.

WIPER and KANU are the latest parties to warn dissenters.

Kalonzo Musyoka and Gideon Moi are some of the party leaders who have now made a move to stamp their authorities. For example, the WIPER party has given out a two weeks ultimatum to Makueni County Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and his deputy Adelina Mwau. Wiper wants Kivutha and his deputy to clear their membership fee arrears or face disciplinary action.

 The Musyoka-led party wrote letters issuing a demand of Sh600, 000 from Prof Kibwana and Sh1, 050,000 from Ms. Mwau. According to the letters, Prof Kibwana failed to pay the membership fee between January 2019 and August 2020. The letters also indicate that Ms. Mwau has failed to subscribe from October 2017 to August 2020.

 ‘We write to notify you that despite several reminders to you, you have failed, refused and or neglected to honor or pay the said subscriptions which are in contravention of Article 29 (g) Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya Constitution and the party’s certificate of the pledge that you signed committing yourself to offer financial support to party activities and programs’ read the excerpt of the letter.

On the other hand, the KANU political party accused West Pokot’s John Lonyangapuo of not only failing to submit his contribution to the party but also publicly campaigning for Deputy President William Ruto.

KANU’s national organizing secretary Abdulrahman Bafadhil reminded Lonyangapuo to respect the party that earned him the governor’s seat. Bafadhil added that Prof. Lonyangapuo owes KANU close to Sh1.6 million.

KANU, through secretary-general Nick Salat also demanded Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno to resign from the party or face expulsion over his unsavory remarks on the president and the former first lady Ngina Kenyatta.

Jubilee party has also attracted the attention of the public for cracking a whip on at least five rebel senators who boycotted a Parliamentary Group meeting that ousted Kipchumba Murkomen as the majority leader and Susan Kihika from the Chief Whip position.

The alighnment of the parties indicate that the race to 2022 polls is on.