Allies of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are talking tough amid a looming purge from plum parliamentary leadership positions.
This is even as Gachagua’s allies alleged a plot by President William Ruto and his troops who voted for his ouster, to extend the term limit for political officeholders.
“This means there are some people who don’t want to leave power. If you look at the person who has brought this proposal, where he comes from and the way he voted to remove Gachagua, it tells you there is a clear plan,” Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa said.
A constitutional amendment bill by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei extends term limits for the President, MPs, senators, governors and MCA to seven years from the current five years.
The Star has established that the Kenya Kwanza leadership is targeting Gachagua’s sympathisers in the impending bloodbath that could trigger further discord in the ruling coalition. The axe is targeting Gachagua’s allies in the Senate and the National Assembly.
Those facing the axe include senators Thang’wa, John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Kanar Seki (Kajiado) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a).
Thang’wa chairs the Senate roads, transportation and housing committee, Methu is the chairman of the lands, water and natural resources team, while Murango is in charge of the agriculture committee.
Seki chairs the trade and industrialisation committee while Nyutu chairs the education committee.
They voted in favour of Gachagua in the impeachment motion.
On Wednesday, Thang’wa confirmed the plot to oust them.
“We have been threatened and told that we are going to be removed from chairmanship. Bring it on. I was elected by the people of Kiambu. They never knew there were chairs inside Parliament,” Thang’wa said.
He said some of them have been targeted for their firm position against some government policies, including leasing out state properties.
“My committee, which is roads, transportation and housing, right now is discussing the issue of Adani. It is my committee that is supposed to come up with the recommendations and the report,” Thang’wa said.
“So, if they are to remove us for standing with justice, it is okay. It is fine. So long I belong, I stay and remain as the senator of Kiambu.”
“We are not sellouts. I cannot sell Kenya to anybody. If they feel that they want to remove us from the committee because we can hear and we were even being told during the impeachment of Gachagua that if you want to retain your seat {as a chair of a committee}, then vote yes.”
Targeted Gachagua’s allies in the National Assembly include Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who chairs the trade committee.
Vocal Githunguri MP Muthoni Wamuchomba, who chairs the National Assembly Constitution and Implementation oversight committee, is another Gachagua supporter.
They are among 44 lawmakers who voted to save Gachagua.
Sources told the Star that once the dust settles, a Parliamentary Group meeting will be convened to agree on the replacements.
“I am aware of very advanced talks to crack the whip immediately the whole issue of impeachment is dispensed with,” the MP disclosed.
The move could worsen the frosty relationship in Kenya Kwanza and may trigger an implosion in Mt Kenya, given that the majority of those targeted hail from the restive region.
Parliamentary committees are crucial to the operations of the bicameral House and have sweeping powers in approving government policy and budget preparation.