United Republican Party (URP) MPs unhappy with the way the government is handling the ICC case against Deputy President William Ruto are keenly following developments in the impeachment threats against President Uhuru Kenyatta by CORD, The Standard on Sunday can reliably report.
That there is disquiet within the Jubilee coalition over the manner the government is handling the ICC case is an open secret.
“As much as the push to impeach is not welcome, we will use it as a bait to ensure the government commits to taking the front row in handling the ICC matter. The various organs that were instrumental in ensuring the President’s have taken the back bench on the Ruto and Sang cases,” confided a URP MP.
Some URP lawmakers who spoke to The Standard on Sunday admitted they feel let down by colleagues from TNA, the President’s party.
“We are treated as outsiders in this government. We are not happy with the way the DP’s case is being handled by Attorney General Githu Muigai and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed,” said another URP MP.
He continued: “I can confirm there is a go slow within the coalition partners. The government should not underestimate this impeachment threat by CORD. We are no longer united as before; do not be deceived by our public pronouncements. This process by CORD could have not come at a better time. If the President wants our support, he must reaffirm his commitment to the ICC matter.”
CORD has threatened to impeach the President over the crisis in the education sector that has culminated in closure of all schools, sending 14 million students home.
Jubilee has dared CORD to make good their threats. But the government cannot afford to take this matter lightly as only 117 members will be required to approve the motion, and supported by at least two-thirds of all the members of the National Assembly, pass the motion.
The Standard on Sunday has learned that a section of URP legislators on Thursday held a late night meeting to review their relationship with TNA and chart the way forward.
But even as the differences between TNA and URP simmer, coalition leaders have maintained that they are firmly united and focused on implementing their campaign manifesto.
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter termed the impeachment calls a non-issue and challenged CORD and Jubilee MPs to put the interest of Kenyans first.
“The most relevant issue now is the teachers’ strike and not a contest between the government and Opposition,” he appealed.
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