Court Reinstates Four De-Whipped Jubilee MPs to their Positions

The High Court on Wednesday temporarily reinstated four de-whipped Jubilee MPs to their positions in Parliament Committees.

The four will now serve in their respective National Assembly committees, pending the hearing and determination of the case. Justice John Mativo granted the four temporary orders revoking the decision by Majority Chief Whip Benjamin Washiali to eject them from the parliamentary committees they had been elected to head.

The four MPs including Alfed Keter (Nandi Hills), Silas Kipkoech (Moiben), David Bowen (Marakwet East) and James Gakuya (Embakasi North) went to court on December 27th to contest the decision to oust them, arguing that the punishment was unreasonable and irrational.

The further argued that due process was not followed in de-whipping them, as they were not given any chance to defend themselves as required by the new Standing Orders in Parliament.

Three of the four MPs successfully contested against candidates fronted by Jubilee Party for chairmanship of different House Committees. Majority Whip Washiali in letters to Speaker of National Assembly and to the MPs said the party had decided to remove them from their positions.

National Assembly Speaker, Justin Muturi Majority Leader Aden Duale and Chief Whip Benjamin Washiali are named as respondents in the case.