Deputy President William Ruto allies have rescinded their decision to reduce their monthly contribution to Jubilee Party nearly a month after threatening to reduce their funds from Ksh10,000 to Ksh50.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Michael Sialai divulged the details of letters he received from the politicians who directed him to continue channelling the full amount to the Jubilee Party, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, and a similar amount to UDA's Kazi ni Kazi foundation.
"They rescinded their earlier decision. They told me in writing that Ksh10,000 should be channelled to Jubilee while another Ksh 10,000 to be channelled to the other kitty. They are quite a number. I can’t confirm the exact number," Sialai said.
The MPs are, however, still divided on the matter, with some insisting that they will reconsider their decision later on. A number of lawmakers called on the clerk to expose the letters and prove that they had reversed their decision.
"Our instructions were clear. He should reduce the Jubilee monthly contributions to Ksh 500 and deduct Ksh10,000 to UDA," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa voiced his concerns.
Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju added that he had not received any advisory on monthly contributions and expected all party members to remit the funds.
"Withdrawing your monthly contribution indicates that you are disinterested in the party and ready to leave or be expelled. This can cause one to lose their seats. I believe they were better advised by someone who directed them to continue remitting the money," Tuju said.
Jubilee Party raises approximately Ksh 2 million per month. In February 2021, nearly 100 MPs wrote to Sialai to halt their monthly deductions sent to Jubilee Party after the UDA Party was launched.
Ruto allies alleged that they were no longer members of Jubilee as they had been kicked out of senatorial and party positions.
"We are not beggars, we are the ones who formed the government, but it is being driven by corrupt and selfish individuals," Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi wrote to Sialai.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy have been embroiled in a war of words over how Jubilee and the government is managed. Ruto accused his boss of pushing him out of government after Kenyatta dared him to resign.
The head of state accused his deputy of hypocrisy, alleging that he wanted to benefit from a government he was openly attacking. He further asked them to quit and give him ample time to lead the nation.
