Hours after the Jubilee party through its Secretary-General Raphael Tuju threatened to expel Deputy President William Ruto from the Deputy Party Leader position, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence.
Taking to Twitter on Friday evening, Murkomen, who is a close confidant of the DP, wondered where the SG had gotten the powers to expel Ruto.
While insisting that neither Tuju nor the president had powers to remove Ruto, Murkomen explained that the constitution (Article 33) still stands unless it is amended through a referendum.
He urged Kenyans not to treat Tuju’s announcements with any seriousness whatsoever.
“Jubilee Constitution provides in Art.33 that Deputy President of Kenya HE. WS Ruto is the Deputy Party Leader of Jubilee. No person,organ can change that unless the Constitution is amended or Conduct National Elections.Treat Tuju’s lamentations just like a donkey breaking wind!” read his tweet.
Jubilee Constitution provides in Art.33 that Deputy President of Kenya HE. WS Ruto is the Deputy Party Leader of Jubilee. No person,organ can change that unless the Constitution is amended or Conduct National Elections.Treat Tuju’s lamentations just like a donkey breaking wind! pic.twitter.com/ubqnaB1XNv
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) October 2, 2020
Through a press statement on Friday noon, Tuju, accompanied by other Jubilee officials recommended the removal of William Ruto as the Deputy Party Leader.
While giving various reasons, Tuju communicated that Ruto had openly expressed disrespect to President Uhuru through numerous campaigns he has been conducting in the country.
Tuju said Ruto ceased being the Deputy Party Leader the moment he sanctioned the opening of a parallel office at the Jubilee Asili Centre.
The decision, according to the SG, was reached after a National Management Committee meeting on Friday.
He also stated that Ruto is no longer welcome to the party headquarters a day after he stormed the Pangani offices with over 30 MPs.
Tuju described Thursday events at party headquarters as an attempted power grab in the absence of President Uhuru Kenyatta who is in France on official duties.
Different leaders associated with the DP have since come out to criticize Tuju, saying they will not be moved by his decisions.
Those misusing Tuju God in heaven is watching.
Let's sort this mess. CALL FOR PARTY ELECTIONS. pic.twitter.com/HznlvW7BCX— Hon Caleb Kositany MP Soy (@ckositany) October 2, 2020
What’s all this NOISE,PANIC & DESPERATION about? Mambo bado…Relax.#WheelbarrowMovement
— KIMANI ICHUNG'WAH (@KIMANIICHUNGWAH) October 2, 2020