Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has told nominated Senator Crystal Asige to resign from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) if she intends to align herself with the emerging Linda Mwananchi opposition movement, escalating a political row over recent changes to Senate committee memberships.
The Kenya Kwanza-allied senator said party loyalty was non-negotiable, arguing that legislators elected or nominated through political parties must remain faithful to their parties' positions and decisions.
"Your loyalty should be absolute to ODM Party and the broad-based government. If you feel you want to join another political formation like Linda Mwananchi, the decent democratic discipline is to resign from ODM, which automatically means you lose your Senate nomination," Mr Cherargei said.
His remarks followed comments by Ms Asige, who questioned whether her removal from the Senate Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing was linked to her perceived association with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The nominated senator suggested the decision could have been part of ongoing committee reshuffles targeting lawmakers viewed as sympathetic to the opposition alliance that has been campaigning for unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, Mr Cherargei dismissed the claims, saying the changes were routine parliamentary adjustments rather than disciplinary action.
"Thank God it's just being moved to another committee, which is procedural, not deregistered from ODM because you have contravened the Political Parties Act. Party leader Senator Oburu Odinga is a good man. Pawa!!" he said.
The dispute comes at a time of growing unease within ODM over members perceived to be drifting towards the Linda Mwananchi movement, an opposition platform spearheaded by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders seeking to unite parties opposed to President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement has intensified consultations with opposition figures, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, in an effort to build a broad coalition to challenge President Ruto's re-election bid.
Recent committee reshuffles in both the Senate and National Assembly have fuelled speculation that political parties are tightening discipline as alliances begin taking shape ahead of the election. Some lawmakers have interpreted the changes as an attempt to rein in members seen to be engaging with rival political formations.
Under the Political Parties Act, nominated legislators risk losing their seats if they resign from or are deemed to have defected from the political parties that sponsored their nomination.
Ms Asige has not announced that she is leaving ODM, but her remarks have heightened speculation about internal differences within the party as competing political camps position themselves for the 2027 contest.
The latest exchange underscores the growing political tensions within the broad-based arrangement between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration, with questions emerging over whether ODM members can openly engage with opposition initiatives while remaining loyal to the party.
