Kidero risks impeachment for ‘disloyalty’

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. Buildings on river banks, railway and road reserves will be demolished if a new law proposed by the Nairobi County government comes into force. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • Kidero has thrown his support behind two non-ODM candidates facing possible by-elections in Nyanza.
  • Governor challenges the Luo community to form a stronger coalition in order to win the race for the presidency in 2017.

Orange Democratic Movement politician Otieno Kajwang’ has warned the party will impeach Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero for being disloyal.

The Homa Bay senator said Saturday that Dr Kidero risks losing his seat after he declared support for non-ODM politicians in the race for the Migori governorship and for Nyando parliamentary seats.

“The ODM constitution says a sitting member should abide by the rules of the party and cannot support outsiders,” Mr Kajwang’ said at a hotel in Kisumu yesterday.

The senator challenged Dr Kidero to seek fresh election in a party of his choice if he wasn’t ready to support ODM.

On Friday, Dr Kidero threw his weight behind two non-ODM candidates facing possible by-elections in Nyanza.

He declared support for ousted Migori Governor Okoth Obado (PDP) in case there is a by-election, and for Mr Jared Okelo (Ford-Kenya) if residents of Nyando Constituency go to the polls.

Mr Obado was ousted by the Court of Appeal, but he was temporarily reinstated, while Mr Okelo succeeded in ousting MP Fred Outa before the latter was also reinstated.

“We should support Mr Obado if we want development in this region,” said Mr Kidero during a fund-raiser in aid of St Mary’s Kachar Girls School in Homa Bay County.

ENDORSEMENTS DEEMED INCONSEQUENTIAL

He said of Mr Okelo: “Since he was behind the petition that challenged the election of Mr Fred Outa, let him be given a direct nomination should the Supreme Court uphold the Court of Appeal judgment.”

But a candidate eyeing the Migori governor's seat dismissed Dr Kidero’s endorsements as inconsequential.

Mr Mark Nyamita (ODM) told the Sunday Nation that Dr Kidero should keep off Migori politics and concentrate in Nairobi “where he is doing nothing”. “Kidero’s support for Mr Obado will not distract our focus,” he said.

The governor added that Mr Okelo was a staunch member of ODM before he quit because of a sham nomination process.

Dr Kidero hails from Asumbi in South Nyanza, just like Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, who has defied the ODM leadership.

His loyalty to the ODM leadership and the party has been questioned, with his critics claiming he is seeking to disrupt and derail former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Dr Kidero challenged the Luo community to form a stronger coalition in order to win the race to State House in 2017.

“There is no apology to make, fellow kinsmen. Come 2017, we must join a winning coalition,” said the governor, adding that no community is capable of ascending to the presidency on its own.

Meanwhile, it was a busy week in Migori County as supporters of various candidates held private strategy meetings.

Followers of Mr Obado, Prof Edward Oyugi (ODM), former Cabinet minister Ochillo Ayacko and those of Mr Nyamita retreated to closed-door meetings to deliberate on how to secure victory in case there is a by-election.

Reporting by Tom Otieno, Elisha Otieno and Maurice Kaluoch