Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa and his Nyandarua counterpart John Methu have spoken out moments after being removed from their respective Senate committees.
Senator Karungo, in a statement on Thursday, said he had no regrets about being dismissed as the Chairperson of the Roads and Transport Committee, adding that the move instead granted him more time to serve Kenyans.
While appreciating the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leadership in the Senate, the legislator revealed that he expected the purge and that his removal from the parliament role granted him the leeway to criticise President William Ruto’s administration.
“I knew it would happen! I expected it! The purge has been effected. I take it like a man and vow to soldier on, unbowed. Meanwhile, I sincerely thank the yellow party for freeing up my schedule,” Karungo commented.
Karungo went ahead to criticise the Head of State, claiming that he was tired of the president's constant and elusive promise of constructing roads for Kenyans.
"Chairing the Roads and Transport Committee at the Senate, I mean, I just couldn’t keep up with ‘Barabara itoke Thika, iende Garissa, ifike Mandera, iende Rhamu, ifike Modagashe’ and all that jazz,” he added.
The Kiambu Senator’s sentiments followed minutes after Senator Methu announced his dismissal as the Chairperson of the Senate's Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee.
Methu, who was also removed as a member of the County Public Accounts Committee, attributed his dismissal to the support he has for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Just like his Kiambu counterpart, Methu thanked the UDA parliamentary leadership for the decision but maintained that he had no regret in stepping down from two roles.
"It was an honour to serve in the house leadership as the Chairperson of the Senate's Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee as well as a member of the County Public Accounts Committee," Senator Methu commented.
"The political choice I have consciously made contributes to the stripping but I bow out with absolutely no regrets I thank President William Ruto and his UDA party for giving me an opportunity," he added.
The radical changes come after the Senate resumed its sittings on Tuesday, February 11, following a long recess that began in early December 2024. The sitting commenced with a rigorous reconstitution of key Senate Committees.
