Suba South legislator Caroli Omondi has criticized the ODM party leadership for their recent threats to oust him from his parliamentary post. Omondi asserted that last week’s decision by the party to recall him was an empty threat with no legal backing.
Omondi emphasized that those calling for his recall are not voters in his constituency and thus have no mandate to remove him. This statement follows the ODM party leadership’s announcement last Tuesday to initiate the process of recalling Omondi and five other MPs for supporting the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Addressing his constituents, Omondi urged them not to be intimidated by the ODM party’s announcement. “I wish to take this opportunity to assure the people of Suba South Constituency that the announcement by some individuals to the effect that they plan to recall me as your Member of Parliament is of no legal consequence,” he wrote.
Omondi argued that the grievances expressed by the ODM party leadership do not justify his recall, highlighting that he proposed 18 amendments to the Finance Bill based on the views of his constituents. “The grounds and process for recalling a Member of Parliament are well articulated in the Constitution, the Elections Act, and Case Law. None applies to me,” Omondi pointed out.
The MP maintained that his actions were within his constitutional rights, which are protected under the Standing Orders of Parliament. “Equally established in our constitutional order under the Constitution and Standing Orders of the National Assembly is the voting autonomy and associated privilege and immunity of a Member of Parliament in the exercise of his or her mandate,” he added.
Omondi also noted that a similar initiative by the ODM leadership to expel him last year did not succeed, and he expects the current attempt to fail as well. He called on the people of Suba South to remain calm and continue with their normal activities.
This development has stirred political tensions within the ODM party as internal disagreements over the Finance Bill 2024 continue to surface.
