ODM suspends MP Owen Baya over questionable loyalty

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has suspended Kilifi North MP Owen Baya Party from his position as deputy organising secretary citing lack of commitment to party affairs.

The resolution to suspend the Kilifi North was reached during a two-day retreat of the party’s National Executive Committee that took place in Athi River.

“Cognisant of the central role that the party's NEC plays in the management of the party and the need to maintain the probity of its deliberations, the NEC resolved to suspend Mr Owen Baya from membership of this critical organ and from his position as deputy organising secretary, given his recent public utterances and conduct that have cast doubt on his commitment to this party and its objectives,” ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna announced in a statement on Saturday.

Falling out

Mr Baya has fallen out without ODM, whose leader is Mr Raila Odinga, and has been politically associating with Deputy President William Ruto.

In July, during the heated debate on the revenue-sharing formula, he led a host of Coast MPs allied to the DP in criticising Mr Odinga, accusing him of betraying the region due to his stand on a proposed formula and parliamentary jobs.

The lawmaker was also among those at DP Ruto’s home on Thursday, during a meeting with Mr Feisal Bader Abdallah, who announced that he will participate in the Msambweni by-election as an independent candidate.

Athman Shariff (Lamu East), Mohammed Ali (Nyali),Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga) and Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) also attended that meeting.

Mr Baya’s presence was the clearest indication that he will be vouching for a candidate other than the one sponsored by his party.