This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
On May 22, 2020, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi made headlines by vowing to oppose Deputy Senate Speaker Kithure Kindiki's ouster motion, which was set to be debated on Friday afternoon.
Linturi's defiance came hours after it emerged that Senators from the Majority Party had been instructed to toe the party's line or risk sanctions.
According to a letter addressed to Jubilee Party's Majority Whip Irungu Kang'ata, Linturi stated that he would use his freedom of expression to vote against the motion.
Linturi pointed out that the motion had no basis or substance and was being used to threaten people who held different opinions on how things were being run by the government and in the party.
He called on the ruling Jubilee Party to put its house in order, singling out recent changes to the House leadership as dictatorial.
Linturi added, 'Let them use civilized ways that can bring people together but not threats and dictatorship.'
The Senate was set to convene on Friday afternoon to discuss the ouster motion against Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki, sponsored by Kang'ata, the newly installed Majority Chief Whip.
