A section of Coastal leaders allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have come in defense of their colleagues facing possible expulsion from the party.

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Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her Msambweni counterpart Suleiman Dori have since been earmarked for punishment by the ODM party disciplinary committee over breach of party rules.

Their punishment is largely based on their association with Deputy President William Ruto, a move the party has found as contradictory to its loyalty rules.

But speaking when they accompanied Ruto for the issuance of tittle deeds to residents of Magarini, Kilifi, on Wednesday, a group of 11 lawmakers from the region read bias in the move.

They dared the party to punish every leader associating with Ruto.

Kilifi North lawmaker Owen Baya warned the party against intimidating the two and denying them their freedom of speech.

He echoed remarks from a section of area leaders who have since declared support for Ruto's 2022 presidential bid, saying they do not owe allegiance to the party and its leader Raila Odinga.

"This time Coast will speak [with] one voice. We are tired of being intimidated because [we’re] seeking development,” Baya was quoted by the Nation.

“Let them first deal with us for supporting development brought by the DP before they go after Ms Jumwa," he added.

Present leaders included host lawmaker Michael Kingi, Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Sharif Athman (Lamu East), Nominated Senator Christine Zawadi and Badi Twalib (Jomvu).