The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal has intervened to suspend the ODM Party's expulsion of Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, blocking the process until her legal appeal is resolved.
The tribunal issued the order following an urgent application filed by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who represents Jumwa. The decision prevents the Registrar of Political Parties from removing her name from the party's membership records.
The tribunal's ruling explicitly states: "The 2nd respondent [Registrar of Political Parties] shall be restrained from removing the applicant's name from the 1st respondent's membership list pending the hearing of this application on March 8 at 2:30 pm." The party was served with legal documents to initiate the appeal process.
ODM's National Governing Council had previously approved the expulsion of Jumwa and Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori on March 1, 2019, for backing Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential campaign. While Dori avoided expulsion after submitting an apology to ODM leader Raila Odinga, Jumwa has refused to comply with the party's disciplinary action.
Jumwa asserted her continued legitimacy as Malindi's representative, declaring, "There will be no by-election in Malindi." She attributed her political struggles to tensions involving Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
