Elgeyo Marakwet Senator and former Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen was heckled in Senate after he picked a personal war with Siaya Senator James Orengo over the impeachment of Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki.
On Friday, May 22, Murkomen, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto, defended Kindiki from the ouster, asking Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang'ata to state the reasons as to why the impeachment motion was being moved.
Murkomen argued that Kindiki was on trial, a perspective Orengo differed with forcing Murkomen to lose temper and go on a rant.
"It is deplorable that the human rights activists of yesterday are behind this today. This house cannot continue calling itself an upper house and continue running manners in a kangaroo way.," Murkomen lamented.
Orengo, Minority Leader in the Senate, led the heckling against Murkomen, who kept on requesting the Speaker Ken Lusaka to allow him to speak on a point of order.
"A motion to remove the Deputy Speaker is not a trial, no lawyers are required here. This is simply a matter of removing him. Who is Murkomen to argue a case here? He cannot continue calling us a kangaroo house. Has he ever argued a case in Supreme Court? Let him mention one," Orengo, Minority Leader argued.
"Orengo and I went to the same University. Even if it is a difference of 20 years. I got a second upper, he got a second lower. I have two Masters he has none. Who is he to question my education?" Murkomen lashed back sparking an uproar.
Murang'a Senator Kang'ata, later on, disclosed that he was under strict orders from his Jubilee Party to oust Kindiki for disobeying the President. Kang'ata argued that Kindiki failed to avail himself in the Parliamentary Group meeting summoned by Kenyatta on May 11.
In the PG, Murkomen and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika were ousted as Senate Majority Leader and Majority Chief-Whip.
"The party lost confidence in him (Kindiki) and we have the right to oust him without stating our reasons. When we appointed him we did not state our reasons.
"After I was instructed to move the motion against Kindiki, I reached out to him and we had a discussion for over one hour as I tried to push him to convince the party to restore confidence in him," Kang'ata stated.
The motion was seconded by Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni Senator and Wiper Movement politician) who is also the Senate Minority Whip.
"This is a warning to everyone who is a leader in this house. The seat you were were given belongs to the party and if any party loses confidence in you, then you have no option to survive," Kilonzo added.
