Jubilee Party De-Whips Four MPs for Disobeying President Uhuru's Directive

The ruling Jubilee party de-whipped four of its MPs who defied President Kenyatta’s directive to elect his preferred candidates as chairs and vice chairpersons of Parliament committees.

Three out of the four defiant MPs successfully clinched chairmanship of the committees after trouncing candidates fronted and endorsed by the State House.

Consequently, the ruling party ejected Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Silas Tiren (Moiben), David Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) and Alex Kosgey (Emgwen) from the committees after contesting against President Kenyatta’s preferred nominees.

In a letter, Majority Chief Whip in the National Assembly Benjamin Washiali, said the four had been removed from the committees, effectively losing their membership.

“As per Standing Order No. 176 (2), I hereby discharge the member in reference from the Committee of Labour and Social Welfare immediately,” Mr Washiali wrote to Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi over Mr Keter’s removal.

“The leadership of Jubilee Party in Parliament has given the member adequate opportunity as per Standing Order No. 176(1) and we are convinced that he is not willing to co-operate with the party position,” Mr Washiali said in the letter to speaker.

Others who were punished include Marakwet East MP David Bowen, who clinched the vice chairmanship of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Alex Kosgey who lost the Trade and Industrialisation Committee to Kanini Kega.