This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Nakuru senator Susan Kihika have officially been relinquished of their Senate Majority leader and Majority chief whip positions respectively.
The Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka announced the changes during today's senate proceedings, citing that the positions have officially been filled by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio as the Senate Majority Leader and Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata taking Kihika's position as the Majority chief whip.
According to Lusaka, the changes were made in accordance with Senate standing order 19, which requires a majority of votes for the changes to take effect.
On May 11, 2020, 20 senators attended a State House meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the Jubilee Party leader. The meeting resolved to remove Murkomen and Kihika from their positions and elect new leaders.
However, Murkomen and Kihika have disputed the changes, terming them illegal and unconstitutional. In a letter to the Senate Speaker, Kihika protested her removal as the Senate Majority Whip, stating that the requirements of Standing Order 19 were not met.
She also downplayed the meeting, saying the National Executive Council did not meet to effect the changes. Kihika maintained that the decision to remove them should be reversed on grounds that it failed to meet the legal bar.
On the other hand, President Uhuru Kenyatta's spokesperson, Kanze-Dena Mararo, confirmed that 20 legislators had attended the meeting, which was held at State House, Nairobi.
