The decision to oust Joshua Mwanga and Francis Mutuku was announced by a tough-talking party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who made it clear similar action would be taken against any leader who does not tow the party line/MIKE KARIUKI
The decision to oust Joshua Mwanga and Francis Mutuku was announced by a tough-talking party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who made it clear similar action would be taken against any leader who does not tow the party line.
“There are some who are saying the party can do nothing. That is a show of open arrogance and disregard for party structure and leadership. I want them to know that if there is any law governing the political parties in this country it will be brought fully into operation,” the party leader warned after a party National Executive Committee meeting on Friday.
The Wiper leader reaffirmed that the party is against the impeachment of governors ‘without due process’ and was also opposed to the dissolution of any county government saying “it would be dishonourable to the electorate.”
This is in reference to action being taken by Governor Kibwana who in response to the impeachment motion against him launched a public campaign to collect signatures in support of the suspension of the Makueni County Government.
The Council of Governors had also intimated that they will be petitioning the President to invoke Article 192 of the Constitution and appoint an independent commission which will look into allegations that would justify a suspension.
Musyoka said the party will write to the Registrar of Political Parties to de-register the two Majority Leaders, after getting the approval of the National Delegates Conference.
He was however at pains to explain why the party did not take action against MPs and Governors who have openly defied party positions, only saying notice has been given to all elected leaders.
“We are also telling Members of the National Assembly because that is where there is seemingly some disorganisation that we are also watching them and also the Governors, and anybody who become what they are today on account of this party… we are putting them on notice,” he said.
The Wiper party leader singled out the Makueni Majority Leader for open defiance claiming he ignored his phone call on the day he was moving the impeachment motion.
“When someone shows this kind of dishonesty to the party that sponsored them, there is nothing else left for us to do. Imagine if President Kenyatta called Duale and Duale refuses to pick up the call, what action do you think the President would take?” he posed.
The Machakos Majority Leader was on the other hand stripped of his position after he was involved in a brawl with fellow Members of County Assembly during a public rally attended by Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.
Musyoka said the County Assembly whips in the two counties escaped punishment after they told the party’s disciplinary committee that they were kept in the dark.
“The Makueni Whip told the Committee that he never saw the letter from the party which was served to the Majority Leader barring the impeachment motion until the reconciliation talks between Governor Kibwana and the County Assembly are finalised. In fact, the Whip wondered if we had finally grown tired of the thorny relations and decided this guy (Governor Kibwana) must go,” Musyoka told the media briefing.
The former Vice President said the on-going wrangles are fanned by the party’s political competitors who are keen to position their cronies to succeed him as the region’s political kingpin.
“We have been in this thing for so long that we can smell a rat from a kilometre away,” said Musyoka who in his over 24 years in politics has risen from humble beginnings to become a Deputy Speaker, a Cabinet Minister in two administrations and a Vice-President in the Grand Coalition Government headed by former President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
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