President Uhuru Kenyatta is today holding a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting, where MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto are set to be axed from their various leadership positions in the National Assembly.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Monday leaked the list of the lawmakers who will be facing the Jubilee purge after today’s meeting.
According to Kuria, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale is set to be replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya as the National Assembly Majority Leader, as President Uhuru Kenyatta extends the Jubilee purge to Parliament.
The president is set to make more changes to MPs today from 2 PM. It is, however, clear that Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali will not survive the purge. Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe will take over from Washiali as the majority whip, while Budget and Appropriations Committee chair Kimani Ichung’wa will be replaced by Kieni MP Kanini Kega.
Deputy Majority Leader Cecily Mbarire (nominated) might be replaced by Igembe North MP Maoka Maore. Maore is said to have initially been fronted by opposition leader Raila Odinga as the majority leader to placate the Meru region after the kicking out of Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi from their fat positions.
MPs set to be Axed
Moses Kuria had listed Garissa Township MP Aden Duale (Majority Leader), Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Cecily Mbarire (Deputy Majority Whip), Kimani Ichungwa (Budget), William Cheptumo (JLAC), Gladys Boss Shollei (Delegated), Julius Melly (Education), Joseph Limo (Finance), Alice Wahome (Vice-Chair Legal) and himself (Vice-Chair Transport), as the Ruto allies who will face the purge today.
“The common factor between Judas Iscariot and Brutus was that both went for the kill with a grin. Today we had enough smiles. Tonight is the night of long knives. The victims have accepted with grace. I am very proud of my outgoing team. We have done this country great. I am heartened by the valour, fortitude and humility with which the axed leaders have taken this betrayal,” Kuria posted on Facebook.
During the Senate reshuffle, Ruto allies, led by former Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, Prof Kindiki and former Majority Whip Susan Kihika were kicked out.
They were replaced by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (Majority Leader) and Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata as Majority Whip.
The Senate is also expected to fill ousted Kithure Kindiki’s position today, with Uasin Gishu Senator Margaret Kamar likely to be picked after the Jubilee Party endorsed her candidature.
NOMINATED Senator Isaac Mwaura stepped downs as Deputy Speaker candidate following Margaret Kamar’s endorsement by Jubilee Party.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Bomet’s Christopher Lang’at and John Kinyua of Laikipia were shown the door as chairmen of key Senate committees.
The changes in Parliament are said to be in preparation for far-reaching constitutional changes in which the legislature is expected to play an important role.
Yesterday, the President while addressing the nation on Madaraka virtual celebration, urged Kenyans to support Constitutional reforms in a bid to build an all-inclusive country.
“Tom Mboya cautioned against constitution rigidity & if the political architecture provided by a constitution cannot support the growth of a nation, that constitution becomes cancer to the body politic,” Uhuru said.
