Jubilee senators will on Monday meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta for a parliamentary group meeting where major changes in House leadership will be announced.
It is expected that West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio will replace Elgeyo Marakwet’s Kipchumba Murkomen as the Senate Majority Leader as Uhuru purges rebels, many of them allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata is also set to occupy his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika as the Majority Chief Whip while Kang’ata’s place will be given to Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
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The changes come in wake of a coalition agreement signed between former ruling party KANU and Jubilee Party which has since been deposited with Registrar of Political Parties.
Kanu’s Poghisio is being rewarded for his loyalty to Uhuru through Baringo Senator Gideon Moi’s party.
According to People Daily, Gideon, a fierce rival of Ruto, is likely to be a big beneficiary of the new alignments.
DP Ruto is expected to attend Monday’s Jubilee meeting alongside the party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju.
“Mheshimiwa, I wish to invite you for a Jubilee Coalition, Senate Parliamentary Group Meeting at State House, Nairobi, tomorrow, Monday 11th May 2020, at 8.30am. Please be punctual. Uhuru Kenyatta Party Leader,” read the message to the senators.
The message did not reveal the meeting’s agenda but insiders revealed that the President wishes to have people loyal to his vision and development plan for the country in key House positions.
“The meeting is the beginning of a purge by the President. Issues of House leadership will also be canvassed,” said a senior member of the House leadership, suggesting that committee chairs may be affected.
Uhuru has for quite a long time pleaded with Jubilee lawmakers to put aside politics to focus on delivering the party’s development promises to the people.
However, with two factions emerging in his party, focus shifting to the far-away 2022 General Election.
Murkomen and Kihika have been accused of defying calls by Uhuru to end early campaigns, opposing the national cohesion project spearheaded by Uhuru and opposition leader Raila Odinga, and the fight against corruption.
