A host of coastal ODM legislator have now denied abandoning party leader Raila Odinga even after being captured on camera several times accompanying DP William Ruto in public events.
With a number of them snubbing a crucial party retreat on Monday, Raila threatened to have them de-whipped through Secretary General Edwin Sinfuna.
"We are yet to receive formal reason as to why they skipped the event. When we establish what happened, we shall unleash on them," said Sifuna.
For weeks, Raila has struggled t contain the wave at the coast with vocal MPs backing Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.
But on Tuesday, a section of the MPs have defended their actions with Malindi's Aisha Jumwa claiming that she was in an official duty outside the country.
"I sent my apology to the ODM leadership on WhatsApp notifying them that I will not attend as I was in abroad," she said.
Taita Taveta senator Jones Mwaruma said: "I am still in ODM. I have not started campaigning for anyone."
Similar laments were echoed by Kaloleni MP Paul Katana, a close ally of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who said he was committed elsewhere.
Others who has distanced themselves with close relationship with Ruto include Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Jones Mlolwa (Voi) and Benjamin Dalu (Kinango).
There frequent meetings with Ruto had reportedly made the ODM leadership panic, a claim which Raila has since denied.