This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
On May 12, 2020, the Kenyan Senate witnessed a significant shift in power as Senator Kipchumba Murkomen formally lost his seat as Majority Leader following the merger between Jubilee and KANU.
West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio was endorsed at State House, Nairobi, to take over the Majority Seat, replacing Murkomen. The change was announced by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, who tabled a formal communication in the house.
However, Murkomen protested the changes, accusing the Speaker of acting under duress to endorse the merger. He claimed that the changes were done in bad faith, sparking protests from several Senators, including James Orengo.
"I don't blame you, I know you are acting under duress," Murkomen said, which led to Orengo accusing him of undermining the Speaker.
"If Murkomen wants to continue to be a Senator in this house, he must withdraw those remarks," Orengo said. "He must respect the Speaker."
Earlier, the Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal issued temporary orders stopping the Jubilee-KANU merger following a petition by Senators Susan Kihika, Caleb Kositany, Benjamin Washiali, and Albert Mutai.
The merger is largely seen as aimed at trimming Deputy President William Ruto's influence in the Senate to size.
