Trouble is brewing in Deputy President William Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard as four Jubilee MPs have defied his call to step down as committee heads in Parliament.
The four legislators: second-term Emgwen MP Alex Kosgey (Trade, Industry and Cooperatives), Marakwet MP David Bowen (Environment and Natural Resources), Moiben’s Silas Tiren (Agriculture) and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter (Labour and Social Welfare) are required to relinquish their positions.
Ruto in a meeting with the MPs yesterday at his Weston Hotel in Langata said the four committee positions should be distributed across all regions.
The DP held brief with the four MPs and expressed his resentment with their defiance. He reportedly told them that not all of their interests can be catered for.
However, the MPs have defied the order insisting they are not stepping down because they were elected by fellow committee members and not the Jubilee Party which they are members of.
“The Standing Orders are very clear. Committee chairmen are elected by members of the committee not by State House or by the DP,” Bowen said according to the Star.
Kosgey maintained he is not relinquishing his post either. “As it is, am planning to attend a retreat next week in Mombasa as the chair of the committee. Anyone dreaming of my resignation is doing just that — dreaming.”
Moiben’s Tiren said nothing will change his mind and make him relinquish his post.
“I cannot be a pushover and I will remain chairman of the committee, as elected by MPs.”
The four moved to the High Court early this month where they obtained a court order barring JP from removing them from their committees.
Leader of Majority in Parliament Aden Duale has threatened to de-whip the MPs.
But Tiren dared Duale to make good his threat.
“If he has such powers to remove me let him do so and I will go back to my people,” he remarked.
With the hardline stance, Ruto tasked Cheragany MP Joshua Kuttuny to have sit down with the four MPs and report back to him.
“Am sure we will find a lasting solution that will have the interest of both our brothers and the party position on the parliamentary committees,” said Kuttuny.