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Fireworks As Kang’ata Skips Jubilee’s Top Meeting, Dumped Uhuru For Ruto?

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Senate Majority whip Irungu Kang’ata decamped from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to Deputy President William Ruto’s side?

Well, the Murang’a Senator’s no show at Jubilee party’s top meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Wednesday has triggered a debate on whether the once Uhuru’s diehard has shifted camp.

Kang’ata failed to attend the meeting convened by the Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju, despite him having been invited.

Speaking to a local daily on why he skipped the meeting, the lawmaker stated that he was busy somewhere else and he could not make it.

Senate Deputy Majority leader Fatuma Dullo, National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya and his deputy Jimmy Angwenyi, National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, his deputy Maoka Maore and secretary to the Jubilee parliamentary group Adan Keynan are some of the officials that attended the meeting in which the party decided to pull out of three upcoming by-elections.

The no-show at the meeting, that culminated in a press conference, came a day after Kang’ata reportedly rejected a push by the party honchos and President Uhuru  Kenyatta’s allies to withdraw his letter to the President.

Late last year, Kang’ata shocked the nation when he penned a letter to the President discrediting BBI’s popularity in Mt Kenya region, Uhuru’s political bastion. Uhuru’s men termed the move ‘disrespectful’.

In the letter, the senator told the President that the BBI referendum might fail in the region unless Uhuru and his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga change their strategy.

He affirmed the position at a press conference in Parliament on Monday despite criticism and pressure to withdraw the letter and apologise to the head of state.

He cited opposition to the expanded Executive, the involvement of provincial administrations and campaigns by former MPs as some of the issues working against the initiative.

Sources intimated that Jubilee bigwigs hosted Kang’ata for a meeting on Tuesday evening, where he was asked to retract the letter, but he declined.

Yesterday, Tuju and Dullo confirmed Tuesday’s meeting.

“We held a leadership meeting yesterday, he was with us…. He is still our whip until otherwise he decides or any other things come up,” Dullo said.

But when asked whether he was ditching the President’s camp, Kang’ata replied, “I am fighting for the truth and rights. I don’t believe in Jubilee factions and divisions.”

At the press conference, Tuju and Maore said the party had not discussed punishing Kang’ata for his letter to the President.

Kang’ata has been one of President Uhuru’s foot soldiers and most trusted lieutenants in the Mt Kenya region.

In May last year, Uhuru influenced his election as the Senate Majority Chief Whip following a meeting at State House where senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) – key allies of the DP – were kicked out as Majority Chief Whip and Majority leader, respectively.

Later, Kang’ata excited key party decisions by whipping party members to among others vote out Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.

However, his letter and skipping party meetings have triggered murmurs and talks that he was on his way out of the President’s circles.

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Jubilee Announces Major Plan To Counter The Ruto Wave In Nairobi By-election

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party has announced its plan in the upcoming by-elections across the country.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to conduct by-elections in Nairobi (Gubernatorial), Matungu (Parliamentary), Machakos (Senatorial), Kabuchai (Parliamentary) and in various wards.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, at the Jubilee Party headquarters, Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that they were monitoring the situation in court and how everything will play out, before giving directions on the way forward.

“As for Nairobi’s seat of Governor [sic] we are on standby mode as the matter plays out in the High Court and Nairobi County Assembly,” he said.

The Nairobi mini polls set for February 18, were suspended pending the hearing and determination of former Governor Mike Sonko’s appeal on his impeachment. 

Sonko is also engaged in another court case against Ann Kananu Mwenda, whose nomination as deputy governor he is said to have revoked. 

The court, however, declined to stop the planned vetting of Kananu who was represented by senior counsel Paul Muite. 

Jubilee is said to be considering BBI Secretariat co-Chair Dennis Waweru as the candidate to battle it out with UDA’s Margaret Wanjiru.

Tuju also announced that the party would not be fielding candidates in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections. 

He added that Jubilee was engaging ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya in the listed polls. 

Jubilee has avoided facing off with the Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance party, which has already announced it’s participation in the Machakos, Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections.

Wiper has fielded Agnes Kavindu who is UDA Chairman Johnstone Muthama’s ex-wife for the Machakos by-election. 

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Details of Uhuru’s Phone Call That Humbled The ‘Defiant’ Ruto

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday shattered his deputy William Ruto’s plans to flex muscles with ODM leader Raila Odinga in the upcoming Msambweni Parliamentary by-elections.

According to a report by one of the leading local dailies, Uhuru made a 30-minutes phone call through Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju’s phone, which was put on a loudspeaker to address the second in command.

Ruto had arrived at the ruling party’s headquarters along Thika Road in Pangani, Nairobi barely an hour after Tuju made an announcement that Jubilee was not going to field a candidate in the by-elections, citing the ‘handshake’ between President Kenyatta and Raila.

It has since emerged that Tuju placed a phone call to Uhuru, where the DP was reportedly cornered and told to stand with the party position.

Ruto then emerged from the meeting to announce he would stand by the party’s decision.

However, barely a day after this commitment, Ruto, in a sign of defiance, met an independent candidate for the seat – Feisal Abdallah Bader – yesterday morning.

The meeting confirmed the DP’s determination to face off with Raila in the campaigns, which he is likely to use to gauge his support base in Kwale County.

He met Bader in the presence of his allies from the Coast region.

“Met an aspirant for Msambweni parliamentary seat Feisal Abdallah Bader in the company of Coast MPs Athman Shariff (Lamu East), Mohammed Ali (Nyali), Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga) and Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) at Karen, Nairobi County,” tweeted Ruto.

The decision by Ruto to endorse Bader was surprising given he was with Mariam Sharlete at the party headquarters on Wednesday.

Ruto and Tuju are said to have proceeded to the party’s boardroom on Wednesday for a meeting before the secretary-general placed a phone call to the president, who was in Mombasa.

The call was put on loudspeaker for the three officials to discuss the reason for not fielding a candidate. It lasted 30 minutes, according to officials at the party.

Tuju is said to have taken Ruto through an internal document prepared by the party, with Uhuru listening in.

A top party official said the decision was made to stop Ruto from engaging in a political confrontation with Raila, who is enjoying a close working relationship with the ruling party.

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Murkomen Responds to Murathe’s Threats

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence on threats issued by Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe against him, Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja and Lamu’s Anwar Oloititip.

Murathe in an interview with The Standard had threatened to kick out of Jubilee party the three senators over their stand on the controversial County revenue sharing formula.

Murathe said the party would take disciplinary action against Sakaja and his colleagues for conspiring with fellow senators under the “One Kenya Movement” banner to shoot down the Senate Finance and Budgets Committee report.

Murathe accused the three of defying  the party position last week and sank its proposal.

“We are not yet done, we will deal with the senators for going against the party position. They will have themselves to blame for their parochial decisions. We will kick them out of the party. Read our party constitution, it gives room to deal with them,” Murathe was quoted by the local daily as having said.

He said whereas the other Jubilee senators from the affected counties had their grievances against the formula, Sakaja, Murkomen and Oloititip acted defiantly and maliciously given that they had no credible grievance.

But in response to the headline ran by the Standard on Tuesday August 4, 2020, Murkomen said the story confirmed that he was doing the right thing.

Seeming unshaken with Murathe’s threats, the former senate Majority leader said such headline can only confirm that the peace in his heart flows like a gentle river.

“When I see such a headline I am so assured that I am doing the right thing and the peace In my heart flows like a gentle river,” he tweeted.

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Senators Sakaja, Murkomen And Anwar Oloitiptip to be Kicked Out of Jubilee

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi Senator John Sakaja, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen and Lamu’s Anwar Oloitiptip now risk being kicked out of the ruling Jubilee party.

The party’s Vice Chairman David Murathe on Monday August 3, 2020 issued a warning to the lawmakers ahead of crucial Senate vote on county revenue formula.

Murathe’s warning comes after the three senators defied the party position and sank its proposal.

In an interview with the Standard, Murathe said that Jubilee party will take a disciplinary action against Sakaja and his colleagues for conspiring with fellow senators under the “One Kenya Movement” banner to shoot down the Senate Finance and Budgets Committee report.

“We are not yet done, we will deal with the senators for going against the party position. They will have themselves to blame for their parochial decisions. We will kick them out of the party. Read our party constitution, it gives room to deal with them,” he said.

Murathe said whereas the other Jubilee senators from the affected counties had their grievances against the formula, Sakaja, Murkomen and Oloititip acted defiantly and maliciously given that they had no credible grievance.

Sakaja and Murkomen led a group of seven senators from the counties that were gaining in the formula arrangement to oppose the vote, claiming they were doing so in solidarity with the devolved units that were losing.

Others were Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Philip Mpaayei (Kajiado) and Boniface Kabaka (Machakos). 

In the formula, 18 counties saw their allocation reduced from what they were receiving in the second generation formula, a matter that raised opposition.Sakaja is a former Uhuru’s TNA party chairman.

He said there was no party position on the matter, and that a party position would only be arrived at if members of a caucus debate an issue and agrees or disagrees but moves on with collective responsibility.

Yesterday, Sakaja woke up to banners displayed in strategic places branding him a traitor. On Twitter, a betrayal hashtag carrying his name was trending.

The senator, however, played it down, asking his followers to help “the keyboard warriors to earn their bread”.

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Oscar Sudi Pokes Fun at Report That Revealed he Hadn’t Spoken in Parliament Since 2017

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi on Friday July 17, 2020 poked fun at a report that revealed he hadn’t spoken in Parliament since 2017. 

Speaking at a funeral ceremony at Kabenes in Soy Constituency, the vocal Tanga Tanga MP faulted the media for making him the biggest topic yet some lawmakers with interests in 2022 presidential race were in the report as well.

Sudi noted that Baringo senator Gideon Moi has not as well said anything in the senate yet he is in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta come 2022.

Sudi went ahead to claim that he can as well content for the 2022’s topmost political seat just like the KANU party leader.

“I have never spoken in Parliament and neither has Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and yet he is the one who they want to make president in 2022, I think even I qualify to run for that seat,” he stated.

According to a Parliamentary Scorecard released by Mzalendo Trust, a Parliamentary Monitoring Organization (PMO), Sudi and his Nakuru Town West counterpart Samuel Arama have made zero contributions in the National Assembly since 2017.

Sudi furthermore declared that he was not interested in being a part of any parliamentary committee under the Jubilee administration.

“I have seen I have been nominated to a committee. I ask that you remove me because I have no desire to serve in any capacity under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We are not beggars, we are the ones who formed the government but it is being driven by corrupt and selfish individuals,” Sudi affirmed.

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6 More Ruto Allies Kicked Out of Parliamentary Committees

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta has kicked out six more legislators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, from their various parliamentary committees.

According to a report by one of the leading local Dailies, the targeted lawmakers were on Thursday June 25, 2020 given letters of intention to discharge them from the leadership of various National Assembly committees.

They are, departmental committee chairmen Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo of Finance and National Planning and Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library’s Joash Nyamoko.

George Kariuki, a member of the Communication, Information and Innovation committee, was not spared.Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore signed their letters dated June 24, and asked them to respond within seven days before they are discharged from the committees.

Last evening, the assembly made changes to the Committee on Selection and kicked out allies of Ruto. The committee nominates MPs to serve in committees, except for the membership of the House Business Committee and Committee on Appointments that is chaired by the Speaker.

The House approved the appointments of Maore, Jane Wanjuki (Embu),Gathoni Wamuchomba(Kiambu), Joshua Kutuny(Cherangany), Maina Kamanda (nominated) and Shurie Omar (Mbalambala). Others appointed are Wachira Kabinga (Mwea), Eseli Simuyu (Tongaren) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi. The House kicked out MPs Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Beatrice Nyaga (Tharaka Nithi), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua),John Kiarie(Dagoretti South), William Kipsang (Marakwet West) and Robert Gichimu (Gichugu). Some of the members were recently de-whipped from various committees by their coalitions.

Other MPs who have been removed in the ongoing purge are Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North).

They lost their positions as chairpersons of Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.

Other chairpersons kicked out include Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture Committee) and Machakos Town’s Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism). Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out as vice-chairpersons for Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Others discharged in the past were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (Justice and Legal Affairs vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chair), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and vice chair of Services and Facilities Catherine Waruguru.

Also discharged were Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

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Revealed: Uhuru’s Next Step After Kicking Out Duale

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta is now set for reconstitution of committees, which will quickly vet the new Cabinet that is set to be unveiled in a looming cabinet reshuffle, veteran politician and his ally Maina Kamanda has said.

Kamanda who was speaking to a local daily revealed that by the time Uhuru reconstitutes house committees, the BBI report will be in the House for debate and adoption by a two-thirds vote.

The BBI report said to be ready and the head of state planning to reshape his Cabinet. So far, President Kenyatta has removed deputy president William Ruto’s allies from key parliamentary postions.

During Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting held on Monday June 22 at KICC, Ruto ally Aden Duale was removed from his position as National Assembly Majority leader.

During the meeting, Uhuru once again said he would only endorse for the presidency in 2022 someone who will complete his legacy.

Surprisingly, Uhuru told the MPs he has no problem with Ruto.

“There are some of you who are angling to be leaders and I am still in office. You just continue,” he said, and lashed out at people whom he said had characterised the 2022 presidential contest as a battle of the rich versus the poor.

“There are some of you calling me dictator. I am not a dictator…Anyway, those of you who want us to work, let’s work, those who want politics, continue,” he is reported to have said.

The latest changes have signalled even a major shakeup in the Cabinet where the President has absolute powers to hire and fire.

Duale has been majority leader, one of the most influential and powerful positions in Parliament, since 2013.

Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya, who replaced him, served as minister and deputy leader of government business in the 10th Parliament.

In a bid to appease the Somali community and the Northeastern region, the President crossed over from Garissa to Wajir and picked Eldas MP Aden Keynan as the new Jubilee coalition joint secretary.

Keynan is expected to fill Duale’s shoes by leveraging on the plum position to fortify Uhuru’s foothold in the region’s politics.

Keynan, a former ODM man, also serves as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

He is expected to be the new link between the opposition and Jubilee MPs in the House and would be required to occasionally lobby for bipartisan approaches to push for the government agenda.

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Murkomen Mocks Uhuru Over Jubilee Changes

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has mocked President Uhuru Kenyatta just hours after the head of state effected changes in Jubilee party leadership that saw Garissa Township MP Aden Duale ousted as National Assembly Majority leader.

Taking to his official twitter account, the former senate Majority Leader sarcastically congratulated President Kenyatta for continuing with his purge in Jubilee.

With the top leadership of the ruling party now being dominated by men, Murkomen told Prrsident Kenyatta that he had now achieved gender equity and as well secured his legacy.

The vocal senator, who has been termed by many Kenyans as the now official opposition leader, termed the top Jubilee party leadership as a Men’s club.

“It’s a men’s club. Gender Equity achieved. Legacy secured. Congratulations Rais!” Murkomen tweeted.

Duale was on Monday June 22, 2020 ousted from his plum position in the changes that were made during a Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting that was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The new Majority Leader is now Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya, who was serving as the Jubilee coalition’s secretary. His position has now been taken by Eldas MP Aden Keynan.

The changes were read out by Jubilee Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe, as soon as President Kenyatta walked in. His Deputy William Ruto was also present, but MPs loyal to him were missing.

The meeting lasted about 30 minutes, with no speeches or questions. Duale’s ouster followed a petition from more than 130 MPs who accused him sabotaging the Jubilee agenda.

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Uhuru Kicks Out Aden Duale, Amos Kimunya Takes Over as Majority Leader

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s continued Jubilee party purge has finally landed on Garissa Township MP Aden Duale.

In a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House on Monday June 22, 2020, Duale was kicked out as National Assembly Majority leader.

His position was filled by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya. In the previous PG meeting, Kimunya had been appointed as the Jubilee coalition secretary. Aden Keynan is now the new Coalition Secretary

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Registrar of Political Parties Speaks on DP Ruto’s New Jubilee Asili

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Has Deputy President William Ruto registered a new political party dubbed Jubilee Asili? Well, on Thursday June 18, 2020, the DP held a meeting with rebel Jubilee party lawmakers who were recently kicked out of parliamentary committees.

The meeting was held at a new office dubbed Jubilee Asili centre. His allies on Thursday afternoon took to social media to share the photos of the new office.

The DP also took to his social media to reveal details of the meeting that was held at the new office. However, there are notable changes between the new Jubilee Asili and the ruling Jubilee party.

Whilst the ruling party has the red and yellow colors with ‘Tuko Pamoja’ as a slogan, the Jubilee Asili wing has only maintained the handshake logo with yellow colors, and adapted ‘Sote Pamoja’ as a new slogan.

Image

However, Ruto allies maintain that the office has been in existence for six months, and they say that it was established after they were denied access to Jubilee party headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.

The Jubilee Asili Centre is located on Makindu Road, off Riara Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.

At the new address, an elated DP hosted 20 Jubilee MPs, including those removed from parliamentary committees and leadership for supporting his presidential campaigns.

Outspoken Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who was ousted from the Senate Majority leader, said they had opted to open new party offices to hold party meetings.

Has the second in command registered the new outfit with Registrar of Political parties?

The Standard Newspaper made an inquiry with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties if the rival Jubilee wing had reserved the name “Jubilee Asili”.

Registrar Anne Nderitu said by yesterday her office had not received any intention for reservation of the name.

“I am out of office already, and by the time I was leaving there was nothing like that,” said Nderitu.

Last evening Ruto allies went on a frenzy to share pictures of the new office. Up to 16 MPs allied to Ruto were de-whipped from various parliamentary committee leadership in the ongoing purge.

MPs Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North) lost their positions as chairpersons for Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, respectively.

Others kicked out of the chairperson positions were Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture committee) and his Machakos Town counterpart Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism).

Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out from vice-chairpersons of Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.

Other leaders formerly discharged were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (JLAC vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chairperson), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and Catherine Waruguru (Services and Facilities vice-chairperson). Also discharged were Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).

Speaker Justin Muturi made communication to the House about the changes during yesterday’s session while confirming that the process of their removal complied with the relevant Standing Orders.

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Tuju Summons All Nairobi Jubilee MCAs

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

All Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) belonging to the ruling Jubilee party have been summoned.

The President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Party has scheduled a meeting for all its Nairobi County MCAs for Wednesday June 10, 2020.

A letter sent by the party’s Secretary-General Raphael Tuju asked the MCAs to be present at the party’s headquarters by 11 am on the said day.

Mr Tuju further outlined that the agenda of the meeting would be to discuss “pertinent issues at the county assembly”.

“This is to request you to attend a consultative meeting at the Jubilee Party headquarters…Please prioritize this meeting and be punctual,” Tuju’s letter read in part.

The meeting was set to be held on Tuesday, but was pushed to Wednesday.

All MCAs – 46 elected and 20 nominated – will be expected to attend the meeting at the Jubilee Headquarters along the Pangani Interchange.

The letter was copied to Jubilee’s party chairman Nelson Dzuya.

All has not been well for Jubilee Party at the Nairobi county assembly as divided camps continue to fight over leadership.

There s been an ongoing battle at the Nairobi County Assembly after the Jubilee party replaced its leaders.

The new leaders have not been able to get Speaker Beatrice Elachi’s attention as she claims that they have to be officially introduced to her by the party.

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Echesa Now Attacks Ruto, Drags Him Into Washiali’s Sacking

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa has lashed out at Deputy President William Ruto for his silence after Tuesday’s sacking of Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali as the Majority Whip.

Echesa, who is a known DP Ruto ally from Western Kenya says the second in command was in a better position to save Washiali from the axe, but he never did.

“I am sure if Mr Ruto had pleaded with the President, Mr Washiali would have survived the axe,” Mr Echesa said.

Whilst Echesa noted that rumors dragged COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya into Washiali’s sacking, he says the duo were never at State House during the Jubilee party Parliamentary Group meeting, but Ruto was there.

No photo description available.

He accuses Ruto of failing to raise a finger on the fate of Washiali.

“There has been talk about Mr Atwoli and Oparanya pushing for the changes, but I never saw them at State House. The person I saw was the Deputy President and unfortunately, he didn’t raise a finger on the fate of Mr Washiali”.

The former CS, who is facing criminal charges related to an arms procurement scam, spoke a day after the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting made changes to the majority leadership in the National Assembly.

While Majority Leader Aden Duale survived the purge, Mr Washiali and his deputy Cecily Mbarire were not lucky. Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe replaced Mr Washiali, while Igembe North MP Maoka Maore took over from Ms Mbarire.

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Full List: 16 Ruto Allies Set to Lose Their Parliamentary Positions

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe assuming office as the new Majority whip in the National Assembly, he is already at work.

The lawmaker seems to be under instructions to make sure that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee purge is continued.

On Wednesday June 3, 2020, Wangwe sent notice of being discharged from parliamentary committees, to 16 MPs allied to Deputy President Dr William Ruto.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria is among those who have received he letters. In the letter, the lawmakers have been given seven (7) days to respond, explaining why they think they should not be dewhiped.

“Pursuant to standing Orders 176 (1) and 176 (2), you are hereby notified that the Jubilee Party which nominated you intends to discharge you from the Transport, Public Works and housing Committee. You rae hereby given seven (7) days to respond before you are discharged from the said committee,” reads a letter dated June 3, 2020, that was sent to the lawmakers

However, Kuria has already indicated he would not respond to Wangwe’s letter saying it was well with his soul.

Here is the full list of MPs who have been notified that they have been de-whipped:

  1. Kimani Ichung’wa – Chairman Budget and Appropriations Committee
  2. Gladys Shollei – Chair Delegated Legislation
  3. Moses Kuria – Vice Chair Transport
  4. Aden Haji Ali – Chair Agriculture
  5. Robert Pukose – Vice chair Energy
  6. William Cheptumo – Chair Justice, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (JLAC)
  7. Alice Wahome – Vice chair Justice JLAC
  8. Joyce Chepkoech – Vice chair Labour and social welfare
  9. Lomenen Ekomowa – Vice chair Cohesion
  10. Lizzy Chelule – Vice chair Broadcasting Committee
  11. Catherine Waruguru – Vice chair Members Services Committee
  12. John Waluke – Vice chair Administration Committee
  13. Cornelius Serem – Vice chair Trade
  14. Khatib Mwashetani – Vice chair Lands
  15. Victor Munyaka – Chair Sports
  16. Fred Kapondi – Vice chair Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee
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Tanga Tanga MP Reveals How Angry Uhuru Undressed Them at State House

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday June 2 chaired a Jubilee party Parliamentary Group Meeting at State House, Nairobi.

However, Deputy President William Ruto’s allies came out of the meeting crying foul.

Uhuru is said to have fired a salvo at Ruto allies saying he will fight off any attempts to turn him into a lame-duck president. The insults Tanga Tanga camp have been throwing at the head of state in their meetings came back to haunt them.

The President told the lawmakers that he was privileged with daily briefs about the insults they make in their native languages across the country.

“Some of you have gone as far as saying that I don’t know what I am doing and that they are the ones who have done all the development projects in the country,” Uhuru said.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko who attended the meeting told a local daily that the President told the lawmakers to desist from early campaigns and respect the institution of the Presidency.

“The President directed us to focus our energies and efforts in ensuring that we collectively deliver on the pledges and promises we made to Kenyans,” Nyamoko said.

But Soy MP Caleb Kositany complained that the meeting was but a monologue. 

“It was unfortunate that the President talked to us angrily without giving us an opportunity to air our concerns,” the Jubilee Party deputy secretary general said.

He went on, “It is sad that we had to wait for this meeting for three years only for us to be called and the only agenda is to be insulted.”

He said Uhuru was “visibly angry” and he did not allow anyone else other than Jbilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and DP Ruto to speak.

“It is a sad day for democracy. None of us talked and he did not state his agenda for us in Parliament,” Kositany said.

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Politics

Tuju Speaks on Whether Duale Will Survive The Jubilee Purge or Not

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Jubilee party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has spoken on whether National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale will survive the ongoing purge or not.

Tuju, in an interview with a local daily made an official confirmation that the purge is now headed to the National Assembly, after the senate.

Speaking on Duale’s fate, Tuju said that President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Jubilee party boss will have the final say.

Duale is seen to have meticulously pushed through government business in Parliament and moderates in Jubilee have suggested he should be spared.

However, he is also being accused of being among the elite politicians around DP Ruto who have opposed the handshake between the President and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Also facing the sack are Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and his deputy, Cecily Mbarire.

The Jubilee National Executive Council is to meet anytime from Friday to set the agenda for the Parliamentary Group meeting tentatively set for Tuesday next week.

“We are on standby. The itinerary of the boss [Uhuru] is very full. But the NEC can even meet on Saturday or Sunday. It all depends on the President’s availability because he chairs the NEC,” Tuju was quoted by the local daily.

About two weeks ago, Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika were removed as the Senate Majority Leader and the Majority Whip, respectively.

With the President’s blessing, Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki was impeached in a historic vote that exposed Deputy President William Ruto’s now-shaky grip on Parliament.

Allies of the DP have vowed to even gatecrash the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting at State House.

Snubbing a similar meeting two weeks ago turned disastrous for the Ruto brigade after the President marshaled the requisite numbers to kick out Murkomen and Kihika.

In a clear change of strategy, defiant MPs allied to the DP said they are ready to meet face-to-face with Uhuru and make their case.

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