The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has handed nine ODM Party rebel members a temporary lifeline after it barred the party from deregistering the lawmakers.
In a ruling made by the tribunal on Tuesday, ODM was asked not to de whip the members, pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the members challenging their expulsion.
“The tribunal is satisfied there is imminent danger of the applicants being expelled from the party,” the Tribunal ruled.
Through their lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, ODM was accused of failing to accord Namwamba and Mwahima a fair hearing during a recent disciplinary committee meeting.
However, according to Kioko, the rest of the members were heard despite their protest that ODM has not held party elections for the last 10 years.
The nine members who face expulsion are Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Viwandani MCA Sam Nyang’wara and MPs Stephen Kariuki (Mathare), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i), Masoud Mwahima (Likoni), John Waluke (Sirisia) and Kwale woman representative Zainab Chidzuga.