SUBA SOUTH MP, CAROLI OMONDI AT A PAST EVENT | PHOTO: COURTESY
Caroli Omondi, the Member of Parliament representing Suba South, has received a legal reprieve as the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has intervened to prevent the expulsion of Omondi from the ODM party. Omondi was among five lawmakers who faced expulsion from the ODM party on September 6, with the others being Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, and Lang’ata’s Felix Odiwuor. The ODM party accused these legislators of violating the party’s constitution by allegedly collaborating with the Kenya Kwanza government.
In response, Omondi initiated a legal challenge by filing a petition with the tribunal against the ODM party. In this case, the ODM party and the Registrar of Political Parties were named as the respondent and an interested party, respectively. Omondi’s legal representative, Tonny Odera, expressed dissatisfaction with the ODM Disciplinary Committee’s decision to expel Omondi, asserting that it was made without affording him an opportunity to present his side of the story.
On Tuesday, the PPDT, convening in Nairobi, issued an interim order preventing the ODM party from expelling Omondi while the case is pending before the tribunal. The PPDT’s ruling stated, “Pending hearing and determination of the application, this honorable tribunal hereby issues interim conservatory orders staying the implementation of the decision by the ODM party to expel and remove the name of Hon Omondi as a member of the party.”
Furthermore, the PPDT, under the leadership of Desma Nungo, prohibited the ODM party and its agents from removing Omondi’s name from its membership register. Additionally, they restrained the ODM party or its agents from removing Omondi from any parliamentary committee of which he is currently a member.
The ruling also stipulated that respondents and interested parties must submit their responses within five days from the date of service. The application will be mentioned on September 26, 2023, to ensure compliance with the order, and the tribunal will provide further directions during that mention.