The Jubilee Party has ejected Murang' a Senator Irungu Kang'ata as its Senate Majority Whip.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 9 after the Jubilee Coalition Parliamentary Group meeting held at KICC, Nairobi.
Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that Kang'ata had lost the trust of his Senate leaders by leaking confidential information.
Tuju added that the decision was not linked to the letter the Murang'a Senator had penned earlier in the year on the alleged unpopularity of BBI in Mt Kenya region.
"We had a meeting where we invited Senator Kang’ata but he refused to come, he joined online and later discussed what was discussed to the media. If after talking, you expose what was discussed, then that is not acceptable and that is a big failure as a leader," Tuju spoke.
Kang'ata's replacement was not immediately announced with sources telling Kenyans.co.ke that Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi was a front liner in the race.
Speaking before his ouster, Kang'ata stated that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the country.
"I will not abuse anyone, I will never talk ill of anyone and I have endeavoured to fight for the rights of my people. Remember I was fighting for the one man one shilling one vote very strongly, I have been lobbying the government to tarmac various roads in my region, to ensure our coffee and tea farmers are well catered for."
"I have also fought to ensure that our region doesn't stagnate economically and that to me is a clarion call that I will continue fighting notwithstanding whether I am a chief whip of not," the senator vowed. He was accompanied by nine other senators allied to Deputy President William Ruto.
He emphasised that it is important to speak the truth and being respectful to our leaders.
When asked whether he will move to Deputy President William Ruto's camp, Kang'ata said he does not believe in a divided Jubilee.
"It is not about crossing over to the other side, just as I have always said I hope for a non contested BBI, I also believe in a united Jubilee," he explained.
The decision to replace Kang'ata was made a day after Jubilee expelled six nominated senators from the party.
Among the nominated senators include Isaac Mwaura, Mary Yiane, Waqo Naomi Jilo, Millicent Omanga, Prengei Victor and Iman Falhada Dekow. One more case, also involving a nominated senator, is still pending.
The Jubilee Party Vice Chair David Murathe had initially sounded a warning to errant party members affirming that their disloyalty would cost them.
