The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)’s top brass on Tuesday resolved to strip Musalia Mudavadi of his Deputy Prime Minister post.
In what is likely to intensify the political rivalry between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his former party deputy, the ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ordered the premier to immediately quash the Sabatia MP the deputy premier’s post.
“The National Executive Committee instructs the Party Leader who is also the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya to immediately nominate a new Deputy Prime Minister in accordance with Section 3 (3) of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act,” ODM Deputy Secretary General Joseph Nkaisery said.
But Mudavadi through his Communications Director Kibisu Kabatesi has insisted he will continue serving as MP for Sabatia and DPM saying both positions are well defined by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and he cannot therefore be removed despite having ditched ODM.
“I hold the position of Deputy Prime Minister because of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 and I cannot leave the position because the country is still reconciling,” the Sabatia MP said.
“When we created the coalition government four positions were written into the National Accord whose holders could only be removed by resignation, ill-health, Parliament, a court of law or the collapse of the Coalition Government,” he added.
The NEC also demanded that Mumias MP Ben Washiali, who ditched together with Musalia Mudavadi to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) be stripped of his position as ODM’s deputy party Chief Whip.
The NEC asked ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo to immediately pick a replacement for Washiali.
The wrangle continues….
GET UPDATES LIKE THIS BY EMAIL
