Jubilee MPs plot to rescue National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi

Kenya: Jubilee lawmakers are plotting to scuttle debate on the censure motion against National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.

And if the plan fails, they will use their numerical strength in the august House to ensure the motion is thrown out.

Majority Leader Aden Duale, who is leading the crusade to shield Mr Muturi, described the motion by Kibwezi West MP Patrick Musimba as an attempt to divert Kenyans' attention away from the corruption issues raised.

Mr Duale described it as "a waste of time and diversion of public focus from serious corruption scandals unveiled in some House committees".

He said the motion was orchestrated by people who were vehemently against the Powers and Privileges Committee investigating the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as directed by the Speaker.

Speaking in Garissa town after inspecting the progress of a Sh400 million roads construction project by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) yesterday, Duale said the Opposition wanted to divert attention from the Moses Cheboi-led committee to the Speaker.

"We know for a fact that the Opposition is very much involved in these issues. Those who are fighting the Speaker are those who are involved in PAC, which belongs to the Opposition," he said.

Duale said the Jubilee leadership was behind the Speaker and "will do everything to protect him as far as making sure that the dignity and integrity of the National Assembly is protected".

"Those of us who fight corruption and stand for Parliament's integrity, those of us who blew the whistle on PAC and its chair, will stand with the Speaker come Tuesday," he added.

Duale said the Speaker should not be victimised because he was the leader of the House and had the moral, legal and ethical obligation to defend the integrity of the National Assembly.

In his Mt Kenya backyard, Muturi is already receiving support, with the majority of MPs vowing to oppose the motion set to be debated tomorrow. MPs Mutava Musyimi (Mbeere South), Peter Weru (Mathira) and Joseph M'Eruaki (Igembe North) separately claimed the private members' motion could have been driven by a different agenda than the one he made public.

Unfounded allegations

Mr Musimba accused Muturi of making "contemptuous, malicious and unfounded allegations" against MPs, which "degrades their character and ability".

But Mr Musyimi said, "As a lawyer, former magistrate and MP, Muturi is conversant with the law and the House Standing Orders. He grants the members space to prosecute orders and the opportunity to air grievances."

 

Mr M'Eruaki described Musimba's vote of no confidence (the second one since 2005) as an ill-timed agenda and in bad taste.

"Musimba's motion appears to be bent on demeaning the office of the Speaker as the head of the Legislature. If Kenyans lose faith in Parliament, they also lose faith in other arms of Government. I hope MPs will go above issues of publicity and focus on serious matters affecting the country," he said.

"This is the same MP who took the Government to court over the Standard Gauge Railway," Mr Weru said, adding that the motion would not see the light of day.

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari and his Gichugu counterpart Njogu Barua separately claimed high level corruption being investigated against PAC was fighting back.

Tetu MP Ndung'u Gethenji termed the motion part of a wider scheme by the Opposition to discredit the National Assembly and the Speaker's office.

"That motion has less than zero per cent chances of passing in the House. It is a pipe dream," said Mr Gethenji.

"We shall in all ways possible defend our Speaker and when the time for reckoning comes, we will prove he is innocent and only being used a scapegoat by powerful corrupt cartels that want the status quo to remain," Gitari said.

Mr Ngari said Muturi had become the target of those who were perpetuating the culture of impunity because of his rulings and position. He said Muturi was human and his reactions did not "make him qualify for the names his critics are giving him".