Jubilee MPs walk out of DP Ruto's meeting after disagreement

janet ndila

January 14, 2018 8:08 AM

Jubilee MPs rebel against DP Ruto

A meeting between Deputy President (DP) William Ruto and Jubilee party Members of Parliament ended up in chaos after the legislators openly rebelled and left the meeting without reaching an agreement.

Ruto’s attempts to calm tensions in Jubilee party were futile after two meetings he convened ended up in chaos and disagreement.

On Thursday, Ruto who sought to calm tensions in Jubilee party convened two meetings: One at his Karen home with 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) in attendance and another at a Nairobi hotel.

Ugly scenes were witnessed during the meeting held at a Nairobi hotel with the MPs engaging in a shouting match with some legislators daring the DP.

In the end, the MPs walked out, leaving behind Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs Caleb Kositany (Soy), Julius Meli (Tindiret) and David Pkosing.

Speaking on conditions of anonymity, an MP who attended the meeting told The Standard that “the DP had asked (Moiben MP Silas) Tiren to resign from the parliamentary Agriculture Committee. But Tiren vowed not to resign saying he was an elected leader and dared Ruto to take him on politically”.

Marakwet East MP Bowen Kangogo confirmed that the meeting was heated.

“I attended part of the meeting and nothing was agreed about us relinquishing our positions in parliamentary committees,” Kangogo said.

On Saturday, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter maintained that it was wrong for the executive to meddle in parliamentary business, alluding to the recent developments.

“It is very unfair and wrong. Parliament must remain independent always,” he said.

Ruto who has declared interest in the 2022 race to State House faces growing opposition from within Jubilee with a section of Jubilee legislators and leaders warning him not to be sure of votes from Mount Kenya region.

janet ndila