NAIROBI, Kenya May 22 – Tharaka Nithi Senator Abraham Kithure Kindiki is the latest casualty in the ongoing purge of disloyal members in the ruling Jubilee Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kindiki was ousted Friday, after a long acrimonious debate during a Special Sitting convened by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka to dispense off a Motion of No Confidence tabled by Majority Whip Irungu Kangata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was supported by 54 Senators against 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was drama in the Senate, with Senators from either side occassionally throwing jabs at each other, as Kindiki’s supporters–led by Kipchumba Murkomen of Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru’s Susan Kihika–demanded to be told his charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kindiki is accused of being disloyal to President Uhuru Kenyatta by failing to attend a Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi where a decision was reached to dismiss Murkomen and Kihika as Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were replaced by Samuel Poghisio of West Pokot and Murang’a Senator Kang’ata respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Professor Kindiki is being crucified for nothing,” Murkomen charged, occassionally accusing Speaker Ken Lusaka of failing to follow the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kihika on her part said it was a sad day for Kenya and the democratic gains made since independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Let us not rape the Constitution, this is defilement which cannot be allowed to go on,” he protested to the Speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But in the end, only votes for Senators present were considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe results that I am going to read just for the avoidance of doubt are for those Senators who were in the precincts of Parliament and voted. Having concluded the business of the day the House stands adjourned until 26, May 2020,\u201d the Speaker ruled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was the vote for nominated Senator Beth Mugo read out by House Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio that irked Murkomen who rose on a point of order but his pea was immediately suppressed by Speaker Lusaka who ruled that voting should proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kindiki, in his speech, vowed to soldier on with his political career and cautioned his tormentors that he will bounce back in the coming days ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n