This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Ruto Declined Uhuru's Invitation to Address MPs During Jubilee Party Meeting ¶
On June 22, the Jubilee Party held a parliamentary group meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), which saw Aden Duale being ousted from the majority leader position.
According to Murang'a woman representative Sabina Chege, Deputy President William Ruto was invited to address the gathering but declined, saying he had nothing to say.
Chege clarified that Ruto was given a chance to speak by President Uhuru Kenyatta but chose not to, contrary to reports that he was denied an opportunity to speak.
During the meeting, President Kenyatta informed the lawmakers about his health status following reports that a number of State House staff had tested positive for COVID-19.
The president had initially planned to attend the meeting via Zoom but was given a green light by his health officers to attend in person.
He then told the lawmakers that over 126 MPs had signed for the removal of Aden Duale, which led to his ouster.
Despite some dissenting views, the majority of the lawmakers were in support of Duale's removal, with Chege acknowledging that the few who shouted 'no' were negligible.
The meeting ended within a record of less than 30 minutes, after which the lawmakers were allowed to take a cup of tea at the cafeteria.
President Kenyatta left the event and ignored questions from journalists who were not allowed into the meeting.
The ruling party also named Eldas MP Adan Keynan as secretary to the coalition, a position Kimunya occupied since June 2 when the party held its first parliamentary group meeting since the 2017 elections.
