Via Kenyans.co.ke
New documents leaked by Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi on Sunday, May 10, alleged that the Jubilee Party had entered into a post-election coalition agreement with the Kenya African National Union (KANU), sanctioned by party leaders President Uhuru Kenyatta and Senator Gideon Moi respectively.
Itumbi, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto, formerly stationed at State House, Nairobi, claimed that the Parliamentary Group meeting scheduled for Monday, May 11, at State House was meant to endorse Moi to replace Kipchumba Murkomen, a Ruto ally, as Senate Majority Leader.
It was further claimed that the agreement had been deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties on Monday, May 4 and signed by KANU Secretary-General Nick Salat and his Jubilee counterpart Raphael Tuju.
He confirmed, however, that the stalemate occasioned by the transfer of functions in Nairobi County would be up for discussion, with Murkomen having been vocal in the Senate against the seconding of several senior military officers to the newly formed Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
“You know, the invite came from the President so I cannot purport to be dictating the agenda. But one thing I know will be up for discussion is the situation in Nairobi County which as you know has had a lot of problems.
“This is why you have only Senators being invited as opposed to members of the National Assembly,” he stated.
The Senate is mandated by the Constitution to provide oversight and legislative direction on matters involving the 47 devolved units.
“The militarization of the civilian or county government is the worst form of violation and overturn of the constitution.
“Let it be known that I Kipchumba Murkomen, the Majority Leader of the Senate of Kenya, is never and will never be supportive of a military-run county called Nairobi. This house must call this government to order,” Murkomen had stated on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, May 5.
His hard-hitting comments came after six more senior military officers; Brig F. Leuria, Major J.V Mbithi, Major A.N Nyakundi, Major J. K. Njoroge, Lt Col J.K.Biomdo and Major A.L. Musoma were seconded to help run the organisation tasked with running the functions transferred to the national government.
Already, Major General Mohammed Badi had been tasked with leading the NMS as Director General in February when Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko signed the Deed of Transfer of Functions at State House, Nairobi.
When asked whether he would be attending the scheduled PG meeting and the alleged plot to oust him, Murkomen opted to play his cards close to his chest.
He refused to address details of the alleged machinations, only stating: “Let’s wait for tomorrow (Monday, May 11).”
In recent weeks, Sonko has made clear his intention to terminate the agreement as he accused officials in the office of the President of overstepping it’s mandate and breaching it, in addition to frustrating the activities of his Sonko Rescue Team (SRT).
If the alleged merger is legitimate, however, it faces a challenge from allies of Ruto who maintain that it is illegal as it contravenes rules set out in the Party Constitution.
Article 32 of the Jubilee Party Constitution indicates that the National Executive Council (NEC) must meet to approve any proposed post-election coalition.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the alleged plot will materialize at the meeting, which comes at a time when squabbles within the Jubilee Party have made for endless headlines.
