Aden Duale’s career as National Assembly majority leader has been ended by the Jubilee Party after serving for about eight years since 2013 – Duale’s ouster was been linked to his dalliance with Deputy President William Ruto who has declared his bid to succeed Uhuru in 2022 – Eldas MP Adan Keynan was named secretary to the coalition, a position Amos Kimunya held since June 2 – Kimunya said Parliament will on Thursday,
June 22, embark on reconstituting Parliamentary committees to replace dewhipped members Jubilee Party has finally removed Garissa Township MP Aden Duale from the National Assembly majority leader seat and replaced him with Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.
The ruling party also named Eldas MP Adan Keynan secretary to the coalition, a position Kimunya occupied since June 2 when the party held its first Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting. Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya (pictured) has been named new National Assembly majority leader. The new changes were announced shortly after the Monday, June 22, Jubilee PG that was chaired by party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta at KICC, Nairobi.
Duale’s ouster came three weeks after he survived the first purge that saw Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) and Cecily Mbarire (nominated) dismissed from the Chief Whip and deputy whip positions respectively over a dalliance with Deputy President William Ruto. After the June 2 PG, Duale thanked President Uhuru for sparing him the axe but his fate remained hanging in the balance after new Chief Whip Emmanuel Wangwe said another meeting was to be convened to decide whether or not he was fit to continue serving as majority leader.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega also joined forces with other detractors of Duale and collected over 120 signatures to impeach the lawmaker. The Garissa Township MP had served in the powerful position since 2013 when the Jubilee Party took over leadership of the country.
In a rejoinder after the PG, Kimunya thanked President Uhuru for appointing him the new majority leader and also extended gratitude to his predecessor Duale. “I do not take this appointment lightly; it is an honour and a humbling experience since the party has shown confidence in me. I will do my best to serve not only the party but also the country,” said Kimunya adding that Parliament was set to embark on reconstituting committees whose chairs and vice-chairs had been de-whipped.
Also in attendance was DP Ruto who did not make any remarks. The president was expected to address the MPs virtually from State House but he arrived at KICC on Monday morning where he addressed the lawmakers.
Source: TUKO