This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Parliamentary Committee Shake-Up ¶
Deputy President William Ruto's allies in the National Assembly are facing the heat as the Jubilee Party continues its purge of perceived rebels.
On June 24, Deputy Majority Whip Maoka Maore signed letters discharging six legislators from their leadership positions in various committees.
The affected legislators include Julius Melly (Education), Ali Wario (Labour and Social Welfare), William Kisang (Communication, Information and Innovation), Joseph Limo (Finance and National Planning), and Joash Nyamoko (Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library).
George Kariuki, a member of the Communication, Information and Innovation committee, was also not spared.
The letters, dated June 24, asked the legislators to respond within seven days before they are discharged from the committees.
According to Standing Orders 172 and 176 of the National Assembly, a parliamentary party may discharge a member from a select committee after giving the member an opportunity to be heard.
ODM, Jubilee, and Wiper are required to occupy at least five percent of the seats in the National Assembly, which translates to 18 MPs.
Other MPs who have been removed in the ongoing purge include Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu), and William Cheptumo (Baringo North).
Eight senators, including Leader of Majority Kipchumba Murkomen, were removed from their positions last month in a similar purge targeting those perceived to be disloyal to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
