The decision by Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) to de-whip errant party members as a move to restore order in the Cord affiliated party has been backed by the party's chairman in Nyamira County.
Speaking on Sunday evening in an interview with this writer, Victor Ogeto said the party had principles that should be respected by every member, failure to which one would have his or her membership revoked.
He defended the decision saying it was provided in the party’s constitution and endorsed in the political parties Act.
“That is nothing unusual when a party wants to bring order within its house. Every party has rules and regulations that should be adhered to failure to which a member is expunged from the party. That is internal democracy where loyalty is crucial and that doesn’t happen in WDM alone,” he said.
He said disciplining errant party members was not by any manner sabotaging freedom of expression within the party.
“When someone faces questions of disloyalty and is summoned, it doesn’t mean that the party doesn’t support democracy. What members should do is that they should share their views within the party before going public to show dissent,” he added.
This comes at a time when governor Alfred Mutua of WDM is facing unrelenting pressure from a section of party members to quit the party following allegations that he isn’t supporting the party’s position on certain issues.