Deputy President William Ruto has urged MPs and senators allied to him — who were affected following Jubilee Party’s decision to realign its leadership in both Houses of Parliament — to concentrate on their oversight, legislative and representation roles.
The DP, who made his remarks on Twitter on Thursday, July 16 asked leaders affiliated to him to forge unity with those perceived to be allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta within the Jubilee wing so that they can “serve the people”.
“With the changes in Parliamentary leadership, including
committee membership and leadership now concluded, I urge all MPs not to be
divided but work together in serving the people. Colossians 3:23 [says] ‘whatever you do, work
at it with all your heart, as working for God, not human masters’,” tweeted
Ruto at 12:30pm.
The DP’s remarks come a day after the National Assembly
Committee compositions were communicated, with the changes showing most of his
allies — who previously held powerful positions in lucrative committees —
pushed to peripheral memberships.
The MPs are on Thursday, July 16 scheduled to start electing
chairpersons of various House departmental committees following the de-whipping
of DP William Ruto allies.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi directed that the
elections be completed by Friday, July 17 ahead of the fumigation of the
chambers by Ministry of Health officials on Saturday, July 18.
Seven committees are scheduled to hold elections Thursday, July 16, according to the timetable released Wednesday by the Office of the Director of Committee Services.
The seven committees are Agriculture and Livestock, Education, Justice and Legal Affairs, Labour and Social Welfare, Trade and Industry, Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library and the Delegated Legislations.
One of the key National Assembly departmental committees that saw a Ruto ally — Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah — kicked out of as its chairperson, is the powerful Budget and Appropriation committee. Ichung’wah has since been moved to the Members Service and Facilities committee as a member.
Apart from Ichung’wah, other Ruto allies listed in the
Member Service and Facilities Committee, which is chaired by Nyaribari Masaba
MP Ezekiel Machogu, include: Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Kesses legislator
Swarup Mishra, Tharaka-Nithi Woman Representative Beatrice Nyaga, and Lang’ata
MP Nixon Korir.
The 15-member committee also includes: Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Tana River Woman Representative Rehema Hassan, Njoro MP Charity Kathambi Chepkwony, Elisha Odhiambo of Gem, Kibra’s Bernard Okoth, Nzambia Kithua of Kilome, Khwisero’s Christopher Aseka, John Walter Owino of Awendo and Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga is touted to be
the chairperson of the Finance and Planning committee.
Busia Woman Rep, Florence Mutua, is poised to take up the
helm of the Education committee, with Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu as her
deputy.
The Justice and Legal Affairs committee would, most likely
be run by Kangema MP Muturi Kigano as
its chair, while Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo will take the vice-chairman post.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma is likely to be the next vice-chairperson of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee.
KANU MP William Kamket is touted to take over as chairperson
of the Delegated Legislations committee, with Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua
as deputy.
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi is seeking to be the next chairperson
of Labour committee. He will be deputised by Chepalungu MP Gideon Kimutai
Koske.
Wipers Party’s Patrick Makau is set to be the next Sports and Culture committee chairperson.
Deputy President William Ruto’s word of encouragement to his de-whipped foot soldiers comes nearly two weeks after he claimed that the MPs and senators allied to him were being persecuted for their close links with him.
On July 4, the DP said Kipchumba Murkomen, Susan Kihika,
Kithure Kindiki, among other Jubilee leaders, lost their lucrative positions in
Parliament because they had openly thrown their support behind him as the State
sought to cut him (Ruto) down to size.
Speaking at his Sugoi home in Uasin-Gishu County, where he
hosted church leaders on Saturday, July 4, the DP said “prayers are needed to
restore political normalcy in Kenya”.
“Initially, we were only talking about ethnic division in
Kenya. Today, a new form of rift has emerged — political division. In the
recent past, we have seen several elected and nominated leaders being ousted
from positions in Parliament, and are also being fought on several fronts
simply because they are affiliated to Deputy President William Ruto,” said the
DP.
“I urge you to pray for these people who are intolerant of
others’ opinions to be accommodating. Those affected, should know that despite
the challenges they are facing, we still need to live harmoniously as citizens
of one nation. When we are patient, and believe in God, then He will allow us
to engage in politics that is free of division and tribalism,” added Ruto.
“In the Kenya of today, several politicians [linked to me]
are being threatened that they would be taken to court for alleged
graft-related offences, face tax evasion litigation, or they’ll be investigated
by the EACC, and consequently arraigned. Others are warned that they will lose
their positions in parliamentary committees and other postings. They are
subjected to all that simply because they are affiliated to the Deputy
President, and not because they are involved in any wrongdoing. I am also an
innocent Kenyan, [who shouldn’t be subjected to such aggressive fighting].”
“Let me urge you to pray against the devil that wants to
spark political division in Kenya. May God keep us united so that we live as
one nation not torn apart by political division.”
The DP’s remarks came after he was criticised for keeping
silent as his foot soldiers in both Houses of Parliament were being cut down to
size by President Uhuru Kenyatta-led ‘Kieleweke’ team.
So far, the DP’s lieutenants in the Senate and the National
Assembly have been ousted from their lucrative posts.
The ousted leaders include: Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator
Kipchumba Murkomen (former Majority Leader in the Senate), his Nakuru
counterpart Susan Kihika (former Majority Chief Whip in the Senate),
Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki (Deputy Speaker of the Senate), Garissa
Township MP Aden Duale (former Majority Leader in the National Assembly),
Mumias East lawmaker Benjamin Washiali (ex-Majority Whip in the National
Assembly), nominated MP Cecily Mbarire (former Deputy Majority Whip in the
National Assembly), among others.
Sixteen (16) DP-affiliated senators and MPs also lost their
positions in various House committees.
