Garissa Township MP Aden Duale on Tuesday retained his
position as the Majority Leader of the National Assembly after he was endorsed
during a Jubilee Parliamentary Meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Following the removal of Senator Kipchumba Murkomen as
Majority Leader in the Senate and his colleague Susan Kihika as majority whip
as part of a ‘house clean-up’ many expected Duale to also lose his seat due to
his proximity to DP William Ruto.
However, he was spared and will continue serving in his
role. According to a statement by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, the meeting
was also attended by the DP and a number of leaders were endorsed.
“The meeting was attended by Deputy President Dr William
Ruto who is also the Jubilee Coalition's Deputy Party Leader, Party Secretary
General Raphael Tuju and a total of 212 Members of Parliament.
“Today's Parliamentary Group meeting endorsed Hon Justin B
Muturi to continue serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Moses
Cheboi to continue serving as the Deputy Speaker, Hon Adan Duale to continue
serving as the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, and Hon Jimmy Angwenyi
to continue serving as the Deputy Majority Leader,” read the statement in part.
Further, the Parliamentary Group meeting replaced Hon
Benjamin Washiali as the Majority Whip with Hon Emmanuel Wangwe. Hon Cecily
Mbarire was replaced by Hon Richard Maoka Maore as the Deputy Whip.
Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya was appointed to serve as the
Secretary of the Jubilee Coalition Joint Parliamentary Group.
Last week, Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu stated that the
fact that Duale suggested President Kenyatta intends to betray Raila Odinga is
enough grounds for him to lose his seat.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Wambugu said
that Duale’s statement cast aspersions over the integrity of President Kenyatta
who is the Jubilee Party leader.
“The majority leader suggested that the president is lying
and is planning to betray Raila at an opportune time.
“That by itself is reason enough to lose the seat as the majority leader,” said Wambugu.