As it tries to crack the whip on its members cooperating with the administration, Azimio la Umoja has started a brutal purge within the senate.
Azimio expelled five Jubilee senators from committees in a letter dated May 4 from Senate Minority Whip and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina. Sen. Tom Ojienda of Kisumu was also censured by the coalition led by Raila Odinga because of his liaison with President William Ruto.
The Public Investments and Special Funds committee has expelled Ojienda. Ojienda is one among the ODM rebels who have allied with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration. Abdul Mohamed Haji, a senator from Garissa, has been dismissed from the committees for health, national security, and foreign relations as part of Azimio’s most recent purge of Jubilee senators.
James Lomenen, a senator from Turkana, has also been expelled and will no longer serve on the committees on power and privileges and energy. Senator Joseph Gituki of Lamu was also expelled from the Education committee, according to a letter written by Ole Kina to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
The committee on national security, defense, and foreign relations has also expelled the Jubilee senator. Fatuma Dhulo, a senator from Isiolo who was removed as majority whip, has also been removed from the security and foreign relations committees as well as the county public accounts committee.
As a result of recent amendments made by Azimio, nominated Senator Margret Kamar (Jubilee) has also been expelled from the Education Committee. In the upcoming days, the suggested modifications may lead to yet another political stalemate between the administration and Azimio.
Before communicating, the speaker will be required to decide on the adjustments. If the speaker approves the adjustments, the hiring committee will have to find new Azimio candidates to fill the positions. By poaching his senators in contravention of the law on political parties and multipartism, Raila has accused Ruto of eradicating the opposition.