Uriri Residents Stage Demos Over MP Mark Nyamita's Expulsion From ODM: "It's Unfair"

• On Wednesday, May 8, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party cut its ties with Uriri MP Mark Nyamita for working with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)
• In a move to defend their MP, residents in Uriri, Migori county, took to the streets to protest against ODM's decision saying it was unfair
• The residents called upon the party's leadership to reconsider its decision as they are still supporters of ODM so is their MP

Migori: A section of residents in Uriri constituency on Thursday took to the streets to protest after their MP Mark Nyamita was expelled from the ODM party for working with Kenya Kwanza regime.

According to the residents, the expulsion was one-sided and unfair, as all the leaders were not called during the meeting.

The residents called upon the leadership of ODM and pleaded with Raila Odinga to have talks with both leaders and reconsider their decision against Nyamita.

"Expelling our MP was one-sided because there were more than five including ward representatives and MPs. Why didn't they call all of them but only our MP? We are asking Baba and his leadership to call all the MPs (sic)," a resident said.

Is Uriri out of ODM?

The residents in unison said they were still supporters of ODM and the perception of them distancing from ODM was misguided thought.

They called on the MP to have a stand as a member of ODM, even as they called on the party's leadership to lift his expulsion.

"We are in ODM as residents of Uriri. We are not leaving, that is all propaganda. Our MP should have a stand and lead us under ODM, because we are not buying the idea of Nyamita's expulsion. Let's us stop spreading that Uriri is not part of ODM," he added.

Why did ODM suspend Nyamita?

In a press statement released by the party's Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Nyamita was expelled because he failed to attend the meeting after he was summoned over an altercation at a funeral service.

The party accused Nyamita of directing police officers to teargas the mourners during a funeral service that turned chaotic in Migori on Friday, May 3.

Sifuna further stated that party had granted the MP his wishes to work with UDA, and he was no longer a member of ODM.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.