Uhuru axes Murkomen, Kihika in new Senate leadership changes
Deputy President William Ruto’s allies in the Senate have been stripped off their House leadership positions in a move that is likely to further drive a wedge between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy.
The fate of DP Ruto’s allies was sealed by 20 senators who attended a Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting that brought together Senators from Jubilee Party and the Kenya African National Union (KANU).
At the meeting a resolution was passed to replace stubborn Majority leader Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his majority whip Senator Susan Kihika.
The two have been ardent critics of President Kenyatta after the historic March 9th handshake with is political nemesis ODM leader Raila Odinga.
In the new line up, West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (KANU) is the new Senate Majority Leader and will be deputized by Isiolo’s Fatuma Dullo.
Senator Dullo is elected on a Party for Democracy and Reform (PDR) which signed a post-election agreement with Jubilee Party in 2017.
Muranga Senator Irungu Kang’ata (JP) is the new Majority Whip replacing Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.
While nominated Senator Haji Farhiya Ali (JP) takes Kang’ata’s position as Deputy Whip.
Senators Kang’ata and Farhiya are ardent members of the Kieleweke group of the Jubilee Party that fashions itself as fierce defenders of the March 9th handshake between President and ODM Leader Raila Odinga.
In a statement sent to newsroom by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena indicated that Senator Poghisio was proposed as Senate Majority Leader by his Nyandarua counterpart Paul Githiomi and seconded by Senator Farhiya.
“He was approved unanimously by all members,” Said Dena.
While Senator Kang’ata was proposed as Senate Majority whip by his Wajir counterpart Senator Ali Abdulahi and seconded by nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura.
Kanze said Kang’ata was also unanimously approved by all members.
Farhiya, the new deputy whip was proposed by his nominated counterpart Senator Halake Abshiro and also seconded by Senator Beth Mugo who also a nominated senator.
Similarly, Farhiya was approved unanimously by all members.
However, the state House spokesperson disclosed that members permitted solidly to retain Senator Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) as the Deputy Majority Leader.
