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Winnie Odinga could face an ouster motion barely weeks after she was elected to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Addressing the media on Wednesday, December 7, Manyatta Member of Parliament, Gitonga Mukunji revealed that he was planning to table an ouster motion after Winnie failed to attend a meeting convened by President William Ruto.
He stated that Winnie, who is former Primer Raila Odinga’s daughter, erred by skipping the meeting where the MPs were briefed on Kenya’s agenda at the regional assembly.
“It is very clear that Winnie Odinga was voted in by the opposition and the government side. We will impeach her for not appearing for official functions of EALA.
A photo of President Ruto with the newly elected East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MPs at State House Nairobi on Monday December 5, 2022.
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State House Kenya
“The elected MPs met the President and the CS and they were there to get the mandate of our standing at EAC,” he stated.
Mukunji added that he would want Winnie summoned to explain her whereabouts during the Monday, December 5 meeting.
“We will call her to explain why she did not attend the meeting. If she was preparing for the Kamukunji meeting then she should leave and do that,’ he expressed.
However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, December 6, Winnie intimated that she missed the meeting as it was on short notice adding that she had other engagements.
“I think people are making a storm out of a teacup. The meeting was at short notice and I was unavailable,” she stated.
According to EALA regulations, a seat for a member can be declared vacant if relevant authorities among member states such as Parliament communicate the same.
“Where the competent authorities of a partner state notify the clerk of appointments to an office incompatible with the office of Member of the Assembly, upon receipt of written confirmation from such member, the Speaker shall inform the Assembly which shall establish that there is a vacancy,” read the EALA rules.
Winnie was among Azimio la Umoja candidates elected to EALA. She was picked alongside Kennedy Kalonzo, Kanini Kega and Suleiman Shahbal.
Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mukunji addressing the press at a past event
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