This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
May 22, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya
Tharaka Nithi Senator Abraham Kithure Kindiki has become the latest casualty in the Jubilee Party's purge of disloyal members.
The ousting occurred on Friday, May 22, 2020, after a Special Sitting convened by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka to discuss a Motion of No Confidence tabled by Majority Whip Irungu Kangata.
The motion was supported by 54 Senators against 7.
During the heated debate, Kindiki's supporters, led by Kipchumba Murkomen of Elgeyo Marakwet and Susan Kihika of Nakuru, demanded to know the charges against Kindiki.
Kindiki was accused of being disloyal to President Uhuru Kenyatta for failing to attend a Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi, where a decision was made to dismiss Murkomen and Kihika as Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively.
They were replaced by Samuel Poghisio of West Pokot and Murang'a Senator Kang'ata respectively.
“Professor Kindiki is being crucified for nothing,” Murkomen charged, occasionally accusing Speaker Ken Lusaka of failing to follow the law.
Kihika described the day as a sad day for Kenya and the democratic gains made since independence.
During the voting session, drama ensued after Murkomen protested that members who were absent for the vote had been allowed to vote through their respective House leaders.
“Let us not rape the Constitution, this is defilement which cannot be allowed to go on,” he protested to the Speaker.
Kindiki vowed to soldier on with his political career and cautioned his tormentors that he will bounce back in the coming days ahead.
