Politics

ODM to recall six MPs for supporting Finance Bill

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga addresses the party's press conference in Nairobi on July 2, 2024, amid sustained protests againt the Kenya Kwanza government of President William Ruto. (Photo: ODM)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Tuesday, July 2, 2024

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said the decision was made against MPs he described as repeat offenders and that it would serve as a lesson to others.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga's ODM party has announced plans to initiate the recall of Members of Parliament who voted yes for the Finance Bill, 2024.

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said on Tuesday that the decision was made at a Central Management Committee meeting that Odinga chaired.

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"The ODM party shall initiate and lead recall processes in the following constituencies in light of the current office holders' repeated violation of their sacred oath and the wishes of the electorate," he said.

These are Gem (Elisha Odhiambo), Bondo (Gideon Ochanda), Kajiado Central (John Memusi), Suba South (Caroli Omondi), and Navakholo (Emmanuel Wangwe).

Central Committee - Press Statement pic.twitter.com/UbK2Sn5HLy
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) July 2, 2024

Sifuna, who is Nairobi's senator, said the decision was made against MPs he described as repeat offenders and that it would serve as a lesson to others.

''These are repeat offenders who voted against the wishes of the people in 2023 and 2024. There are a few who met their Damascus moment,'' he noted.

The six are among MPs who have been associating with President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government despite warnings from ODM.

Last Tuesday 195 MPs voted yes for the Finance Bill, 2024 and were later praised by Ruto, who termed them "Kenya's real heroes" who grabbed the opportunity to help unchain the country from the debt burden.

Orange Democratic Movement Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna addresses the party's press conference in Nairobi on July 2, 2024, amid sustained protests againt the Kenya Kwanza government of President William Ruto. (Photo: ODM)

How to recall your MP

The Elections Act states that an MP can only be recalled at least two years after being elected and not less than one year (12 months) before the next vote.

The first step involves a voter(s) who must prepare and file a petition for recall with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The petition must be signed by the voters, should indicate the grounds for recall, and must be accompanied by the fee prescribed for an election petition.

Currently, the fee is Sh30,000, equal to the court fees paid by a person who challenges the election of an MP.

What follows is the collection of names and signatures of at least a third of the registered voters in the sub-county, to demonstrate support for the recall petition.

As guided by law, those who sign the petition must be registered in different parts of the subcounty.

Within 30 days of filing the petition, the names of the voters who signed it must be supplied to the IEBC for verification. Fifteen days after the verification, the commission must issue a notice of recall to the speaker of the National Assembly.

The third and final step sees the commission prepare for and conduct a recall vote. This must happen within 90 days from the issuing of the notice to recall the speaker.

The election involves simple yes-no questions with appropriate symbols on the ballot paper.

If the recall process is successful, a by-election must be held for the selection of a new legislator.