Opposition chief Raila Odinga's ODM party has cautioned members making unsanctioned public comments on the political deal with President William Ruto's UDA.
In a communication exclusively seen by the Star, the party has instructed all its elected leaders in the 13th Parliament to consult with the Minority leadership before pronouncing themselves on sensitive party matters.
The new development is seen as targeting a number of the legislators who have lately made public statements over the political deal between the President and the former Prime Minister.
The communication by National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohammed now requires the leadership to discuss and agree with the lawmakers on the 'nature' and scope' of the message.
"Good evening, I have been instructed by the party leadership to inform you that we are still and remain the Minority party in Parliament," reads part of the communication.
"In light of that, you are hereby requested to engage with me (Junet Mohammed) and the parliamentary leadership of both houses whenever you participate in political matters outside the party. We need to agree on the nature, scope and message for the political engagement."
ODM is led in the National Assembly by Junet, Millie Odhiambo (Minority Whip) and, in the Senate, by Steward Madzayo (Minority leader) Ledama Ole Kina (Minority Whip) and Edwin Sifuna (deputy Minority Whip).
The directive effectively bars MP's elected on ODM party tickets from discussing party issues on the media or public gatherings.
The communication shared in the ODM MP WhatsApp messages - was however quick to dismiss infringing on the political rights of its members with the new direction.
"This is not anyway meant to deny any political rights but we are a political party that has its own rules to do their business," the communication continued.
The new directive comes at a time some of the parties' elected MPs have made claims on the Raila and Ruto deal, with the recent case being an express assurance on Sunday by two ODM lawmakers to the President that he (Ruto) will inherit Raila's base in 2027.
MPs Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) and Senator Eddy Oketch (Migori), while accompanying Ruto to a prayer service at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moiben, said Raila would hand over his political base and support him.
"Raila will hand over his political support in the Nyanza region and ODM to you (Ruto) before leaving for Addis Ababa," Kaluma said.
"Where I come from, when someone clothes your father, he becomes your friend. When he offers your father a walking stick, he becomes a friend worth your support."
The sentiments came days after another ODM MP - Daniel Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba) - sensationally claimed the party is eyeing the Interior docket ahead of government reorganisations.
In a morning interview with K24 television last week, he said the party has forwarded Junet's name as a possible replacement for Kithure Kindiki at the powerful ministry.
Kindiki was last week nominated to replace impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, creating a vacancy at the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
