This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
On Monday, President Kenyatta chaired a Jubilee coalition Senate Parliamentary Group Meeting that ousted Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and Majority Chief Whip Susan Kihika, replacing them with West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio and Murang'a's Irungu Kang'ata, respectively.
As a result of their ousting, Murkomen and Kihika will lose their higher pay packages, enhanced security, and vehicles paid for by the government. They will also lose their offices and extra staff who were fully paid by the Public Service Commission.
According to National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi, the ousted leaders will no longer be entitled to a salary of slightly over Sh200,000 and a responsibility allowance of about Sh138,000 monthly. They will also lose their assigned staff, including a researcher, policy analyst, and legal officer, as well as their secretary, personal assistant, and office assistant.
Additionally, the ousted leaders will have to surrender their vehicles and will be rendered jobless, affecting their pensions, which are usually based on their last basic salary.
Former Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo noted that the offices of Majority and Minority leaders are usually adored for the extra perks they come with. Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe defended the removal of Murkomen and Kihika, citing their opposing party positions and policies in the Senate.
Published on May 12, 2020
