This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
On May 11, 2020, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his discontent with the Senate leadership changes sanctioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta, terming them as null and void.
According to Murkomen, 23 Jubilee senators did not receive a formal invitation to attend the meeting, and the Parliamentary Group meeting convened by President Kenyatta fell short of the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders.
"No vote was carried out as required by the Standing Order 19 to remove the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip," Murkomen stated, flanked by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.
Kihika, in a letter endorsed by 22 Jubilee Party Senators, wrote to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka protesting the changes, which also saw Nominated Senator Farhiya Ali rise to the Deputy Majority Chief Whip in the Senate.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo retained her position as the Deputy Majority Leader.
"What they are doing is forging signatures, they had 11 senators in Jubilee, it is a requirement that there is notice of invitation, agenda must be clear, we were not aware what that was and they did not have enough senators to do what they did," Kihika said.
The 23 legislators dismissed the changes, stating that no vote was taken in accordance with Standing Orders.
"We therefore hold that the leadership of the Majority Party in the Senate remains as it has been and until the requirements of the Constitution of Kenya, the standing orders and Jubilee Party Constitution and the law are adhered to," Kihika said.
President Kenyatta, who is also the Party Leader of the Jubilee Party, announced the changes, assuring the new leaders of his support.
