This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to remove lawmakers from House committees sparked controversy. However, Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader Isaac Ruto has come out in support of the move, describing it as a normal party disciplinary process.
According to Ruto, the President did not break any law in taking the action. He argued that a President cannot effectively govern with a Parliament that is not disciplined, and that party members who openly defy their leaders should be held accountable.
"A President cannot run a government with a Parliament that is not disciplined, a party with members who openly defy him to the extent of abusing him in public," Ruto said.
He emphasized that democracy does not mean lawmakers can create chaos in Parliament, and that there are established structures for addressing party grievances.
The purge has been seen as a fallout between President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Several of Ruto's allies have been targeted in the changes, including Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki and Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen.
However, the move has also benefited some individuals, such as West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio, who has taken over as Majority Leader.
