- Wiper also moved to discipline MPs who voted for the Finance Bill 2024.
- The NEC meeting was chaired by party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Image: NCIC/ X
Dadaab MP Farah Maalim is among high-profile casualties as Wiper Democratic Movement moves to cracks whip on renegade members.
A National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday recommended the expulsion of Maalim over "hateful remarks" on protesting youth.
The lawmaker allegedly made inflammatory remarks against young Kenyans protesters over the weekend.
He has, however, denied uttering the offending words, saying the circulating video has been manipulated.
In a radical decision on Wednesday, Wiper NEC recommended his removal as its vice chairperson and have him dewhipped from all parliamentary committees, including membership to the Speaker’s panel
“Regarding the conduct and statements attributed to deputy party leader Farah Maalim, let it be known clearly that the Wiper Democratic Movement party distances and disassociates itself from these remarks,” Wiper secretary general Shakila Abdalla said.
“NEC recommends expulsion from the party to the National Delegates Convention (NDC) – the supreme organ of the party.”
“NEC’s decision is that Hon Farah Maalim be dewhipped from all committees in Parliament, including the Speaker’s Panel.”
The former deputy speaker is also among four Wiper MPs referred to the party's disciplinary committee for defying the express party position on the now withdrawn Finance Bill.
The other three are Dorice Donya (Kisii MP), John Bwire (Taita Taveta) and Abubakar Ahmed (nominated).
Apart from Donya, who was a no-show during the vote, the rest joined forces with the government side to pass the punitive tax law.
“We believe strongly in the fidelity of political parties, their mission, vision and identity,” Abdalla said.
They are further accused of skipping the Wednesday NEC meeting, even after being officially invited.
“The four received invitations to attend today’s NEC meeting. They all failed to attend nor have offered their apologies,” Abdalla said.
“Their cases have been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.”
The move comes a week after ODM announced it will be initiating the process of recalling some of its six MPs who voted for the Finance Bill.
The MPs targeted for recall include Gem's Elisha Odhiambo, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elijah Memusi (Kajiado Central), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo).
"We have started with the six so that it serves as a lesson to the rest," ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said last week when asked why the party spared the rest.
Both Wiper and ODM are key pillars of the opposition, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.