Four lawmakers drawn from Kilifi county have lauded the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal for confirming Malindi legislator Aisha Jumwa's membership in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The tribunal quashed the party's expulsion of Jumwa, ruling that she remains a member, months after the opposition outfit pushed her out, over claims of disloyalty and flouting of laws.
The four who are in office courtesy of ODM, spoke separately on Monday, with Magarini MP Michael Kingi saying that Jumwa is now free to carry out her responsibilities, and should now support the push for Coast unity.
“She should now leave Tangatanga and join us in pushing for Coast unity as we await Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho to give us direction on 2022 politics,” he told the Nation.
Kilifi North legislator Owen Baya said that the ruling has proved the MP right, adding that ODM's decision was a violation on her rights.
Paul Katana of Kaloleni constituency bashed the party for victimising the MP for associating with Deputy President William Ruto.
He said that Jumwa was acting in the spirit of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga, adding that the party should practice tolerance.
“They started it themselves with a handshake and I wondered why they were victimising Ms Jumwa for extending the handshake to Dr Ruto,” he added.
On her part, Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu told ODM to stop engaging in petty politics, and let Jumwa lobby for development on behalf of her people, by associating with whichever politician she deems necessary.