This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and Majority Whip Susan Kihika's hopes of retaining their leadership positions were dashed after Speaker Kenneth Lusaka upheld the resolution booting them out.
Speaker Lusaka's decision was based on minutes from a State House meeting on Monday, which showed that 20 Senators attended and recommended changes to the Jubilee Senate leadership.
According to Lusaka, the changes were made in accordance with the Senate Standing Orders 19 (1)(2)(3)(40)(50) and (7), and met the threshold required under Standing Order 19(5).
Deputy President's camp had been trying to maintain the narrative that a majority of legislators did not attend the meeting, but Lusaka stated that he had received a duly-signed list of Senators who attended the State House meeting, as well as a certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties confirming the validity of a pre-election pact between the Jubilee Party and KANU.
As a result, Lusaka ratified the decision to install West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio and Irungu Kang'ata as Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal had issued an interim order suspending the Jubilee-KANU coalition deal, after three Ruto allied legislators petitioned the tribunal to throw out the leadership changes.
Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen reacted furiously to Lusaka's decision, accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of being a 'liar' and claiming that the Speaker had been beaten into submission.
