Sabina Chege survives Azimio’s bid to unseat her as Deputy Minority Whip
Jubilee Party nominated MP Sabina Chege will remain the Deputy Minority Whip following a decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
The sitting turned chaotic following Moses Wetang’ula’s decision to reject a motion by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition that Ms Chege be removed from her position as Deputy Minority Whip.
The MP survived after the Speaker ruled that there was a court case on the same issue and asked the Azimio side to apply to join the case as an interested party to have a say on the issue.
Wetang’ula was responding to a letter from Azimio Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, who wanted Ms Chege to be replaced by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, who was elected during the Azimio caucus meeting last month.
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“I am confronted with the court order that specifically names both the Speaker and the House as parties to a court case that appears to be challenging the process… Honourable members, from the foregoing, my hands are therefore tied with regard to the court order that has been brought to my attention. Until and unless further information is received that this order has been set aside, the court order effectively suspends the decision of the Minority Party to replace Sabina Chege as Deputy Minority Whip,” Wetang’ula ruled.
Sabina Chege and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega are leading the Jubilee Party faction that wants to join the Kenya Kwanza government and are locked in a battle with the other faction that wants the party to remain in Azimio.
The Speaker also suspended seven members during the session for breaching the discipline of the House.
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At the same time, the Speaker ruled that Ms Chege, Ruaraka legislator TJ Kajwanga, Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo will be absent from Parliament buildings for two weeks.
He also ruled that MP Fatuma Muyanzi will be suspended for five days, Catherine Omanyo for five days and Joyce Kamene will miss two sittings.
The Speaker said the members had flouted the Standing Orders of the House by threatening each other, shouting at the Chair and making all sorts of unprintable remarks.
He suspended them under Standing Order 107 (3), which states that the Speaker may call to order a member whose conduct is grossly disorderly and shall order the member to withdraw immediately from the premises of Parliament for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 28 days.
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