Kenya’s Ruling Party Expels Senators Linked To Deputy President Ruto
Kenya’s ruling Jubilee Party kicked out six senators seen to support Deputy President William Ruto, who has increasingly been at odds with President Uhuru Kenyatta since they won a second term in 2017.
The party’s National Management Committee threw out the lawmakers on Monday, all of who were nominated by the party rather than elected by voters, after considering reports by Jubilee’s disciplinary panel, Secretary-General Raphael Tuju said in a statement posted on the party’s Twitter account.
Nominated senators Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Victor Prengei, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo and Mary Seneta Yiane were expelled by the National Management Committee — Jubillee’s top organ.
“The expulsions are with immediate effect,” Tuju said, adding that each of the expelled members had a right to appeal the decision..
In October, the committee recommended that Ruto be stripped of his deputy leader position and announced plans to bar him from using the party’s offices for presidential campaigns for 2022 elections.
Over the past three years Kenyatta has struck alliances with opposition leaders who are seen as possible presidential contenders, undermining Ruto’s bid to succeed him.