Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has launched a blistering attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after being unceremoniously ousted from a lucrative parliamentary committee.

In a dramatic escalation of intra-party friction, the ever-controversial Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has publicly lambasted the ODM leadership. The demotion from his parliamentary committee slot has ripped the band-aid off simmering tensions within the opposition ranks, exposing the fragile alliances holding the coalition together.

For the Kenyan political observer, this fallout illustrates the ruthless discipline demanded by party hierarchies and the inevitable clash when populist, grassroots politicians refuse to toe the establishment line. The incident has sent shockwaves through Western Kenya's political landscape.

The Committee Purge

Parliamentary committees are the engine rooms of legislative power, offering MPs immense influence, oversight capabilities, and substantial sitting allowances. Salasya's removal is widely interpreted as a punitive measure engineered by the ODM high command to clip the wings of perceived dissidents. The MP, known for his unfiltered rhetoric, immediately took to social media and public rallies to express his disdain.

Western Kenya's Shifting Sands

Salasya's demotion is not an isolated event. It must be viewed through the prism of Western Kenya's complex voting bloc, a region perennially contested by rival factions. By punishing a popular, albeit erratic, local leader, ODM risks alienating a crucial demographic ahead of the 2027 elections. The political calculus involves:

• The battle for the Luhya vote against the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
• The rise of independent-minded youth leaders challenging old-guard politics.
• The delicate balance of power within the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Salasya's Defiant Stand

Unbowed, Salasya framed his ouster as a badge of honour, portraying himself as a martyr for truth against an oppressive party elite. He accused the ODM leadership of dictatorial tendencies and stifling internal democracy. "They can take the committee, but they cannot take the people of Mumias East," he declared to a cheering crowd, cementing his populist credentials.

The Broader Implications

This public spat highlights the growing trend of party indiscipline that plagues Kenyan politics. As party leaders attempt to enforce loyalty, they inadvertently create political martyrs who leverage their victimhood to build independent power bases. "The era of blind party loyalty is ending; leaders must negotiate, not dictate," a regional analyst warned.