The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Laikipia County branch has demanded stern disciplinary action against Mukogodo West MCA Nicholas Lempaira after he allegedly mocked party leader Raila Odinga during a burial ceremony in Laikipia North last week.
Addressing the press in Nanyuki on Monday, September 9, ODM branch chairman John Orengo said the MCA’s conduct was “reckless, disrespectful, and an affront to the party leader’s stature.”
“It is with deep concern that we, the ODM county leadership, condemn the utterances against our party leader by the MCA. Respect is paramount, and our party leader must be respected at all times,” Orengo stated.
He insisted that Lempaira’s actions had undermined the party, noting that his election under the ODM ticket demanded loyalty. “We cannot tolerate any ODM leader behaving in a manner that demeans the party and its leadership. The MCA must be expelled,” he added.
The fallout stems from remarks made by Lempaira during the burial of former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel at Il Polei village on Friday. In the presence of Raila, the ward rep accused the opposition chief of abandoning Lempurkel when he was persecuted for defending land rights.
“It’s time for you to speak for us while you’re still alive. You owe us the people of Laikipia North and the Lempurkel family. We don’t know if we are in UDA or in a ‘Nusu Mkate’ arrangement. We need direction,” the MCA charged.
The comments drew sharp backlash, with ODM officials accusing Lempaira of being a sympathizer of the Democratic Citizen Party (DCP). They dared him to resign and seek a fresh mandate on a different ticket.
The late Lempurkel, who died last month following a road accident, was the first ODM MP elected in Laikipia in 2013. Despite losing the seat in 2017, he remained a close ally of Raila, actively promoting the party in the county.
ODM leaders now insist that Lempaira’s defiance dishonors Lempurkel’s legacy and destabilizes the party at a critical time.
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