Embattled Ruto’s allies Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika found themselves in trouble once again after the senate effected changes channeled to the house a Jubilee party-Kanu coalition deal brokered in a Monday meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The changes replaced Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika from their leadership positions.
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka ruled against the duo’s favor arguing that he received communication from the Jubilee Coalition through Deputy Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata notifying him of the changes.
Lusaka pointed out that the communication encompassed all documents including minutes of the Jubilee coalition parliamentary group meeting.
The Jubilee senators parliamentary group agreed to have Senator Samuel Poghisio as the Majority leader, Kang’ata as the Majority Whip, and Senator Haji Ali as the Deputy Majority Whip Senator Dullo Fatuma remains the Deputy Majority Leader.
“I am satisfied that the changes were made in accordance with the Senate Standing Orders and meet the threshold required under standing order 19 (5),” Lusaka said
During the ruling Murkomen breathed fire accusing the speaker and president Uhuru Kenyatta for going against duly orders by the Political parties disputes Tribunal which officially quashed the Jubilee-KANU agreement.
He argued that Lusaka was arm-twisted to execute such ruling., “Mr. Speaker I know you, I defended you when Senator Wetangula and Senator Orengo brought papers against you here. “Murkomen said
“This isn’t your decision Mr. Speaker, you made this decision under duress.”He argued
War of words ensued after Minority Leader James Orengo intervened accusing Murkomen of undermining the Speaker and being disrespecting the President.
On Tuesday, the duo breathed a sigh of relief after the political parties’ tribunal resolutions dispute suspended the coalition deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and Gideon Moi’s Kenya African National Union (KANU) .
The tribunal said the order is to remain interim until when and after National Executive committee (NEC) calls for a party meeting to discuss on the same.
“(The Jubilee-KANU coalition deal) violated Article 10, 38, 73 and 91 of the Constitution of Kenya, the Political Parties Act, Regulation 21 of the Political Parties (Registration) Regulations 2019 and Article 32.2 of the 1st Interested Party’s Constitution and any decision emanating therefrom is invalid, illegal and had no effect in law,” the order reads.
