Ruto allies Murkomen, Kihika kicked out of influential Senate leadership positions

KANU’s Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot) has replaced Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen as the Majority leader in the Senate in new changes that have followed a parliamentary group meeting chaired by President uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi.



Poghisio will be deputised by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dillo as Muranga Senator takes over as majority whip after the removal of Nakuru’s Susan Kihika.



Kang’ata will be deputised by nominated senator Farhiya Ali as the rift between the President and his deputy, William Ruto, whose two allies have been stripped of the powerful positions.



The changes have confirmed reports that President Kenyatta and his deputy had parted ways politically, the latter being accused of using his allies to sabotage the presidential agenda in the Upper House, insiders accusing Tanga Tanga-allied MPs of grossly insubordinating the party leader.



This is the first-fruits of the post-election coalition deal between Jubilee and KANU, a move that now gives the independence party the right to sit in house committees as well as attend Jubilee parliamentary group meetings.



In a statement, President Kenyatta congratulated the new appointees, saying he was looking forward to working with them to deliver service to Kenyans.



As expected, Ruto allies lamented the move as they took to social media to criticise it saying it was a gross violation of the party’s constitution.



Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria claimed the new changes were a shade of the rigging that Jubilee orchestrated in 2013, while Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot said there were no photos of the State House meeting because majority Senators had given the meeting a wide berth.



Kurunzi understands the meeting was attended by 21 Senators.