This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Ruto's Allies Defy Him, Support Aden Duale's Ouster ¶
Deputy President William Ruto's allies openly supported the ouster of Aden Duale as the National Assembly Majority leader on June 22, 2020, in a move that exposed a deep rift within the Tanga Tanga faction.
According to sources, Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru, who was until a fortnight ago a vocal Tanga Tanga adherent, sealed Duale's fate by seconding the motion to remove him during the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) that was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Waruguru's move was a significant blow to Ruto, who had been relying on Duale's support to maintain his influence within the Jubilee Party. The ouster of Duale marked a major shift in the balance of power within the party, with Ruto's allies now facing a significant challenge in maintaining their grip on power.
Uhuru appeared to have put Duale's fate in the hands of legislators, with Kieni MP Kanini Kega orchestrating a removal petition and garnering the signatures required to show the Garissa Township MP the door.
According to State House, 174 out of 179 Jubilee Party members attended the KICC meeting despite some Tanga Tanga politicians vowing to snub it. In his address, Uhuru made it clear that he had no grudge with all those present, including Ruto, saying the only problem was that some of them stopped working and resorted to politics after the last elections.
"Power had got into his head and he has had no respect for members," Kesses MP Swarup Mishra said, candidly explaining why he attended the meeting to vote out the majority leader.
Duale was replaced with Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya, who was elated at the opportunity to take over the influential position.
