There must be discipline! Tuju warns leaders causing friction in Jubilee

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju has hit out at politicians causing friction in the party saying they should shape up or ship out.

Tuju was referring to leaders who were de-whipped last week among others who are still being monitored in the National Assembly.

In the Senate Parliamentary Group meeting, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Nakuru's Susan Kihika were sacked as Majority leader and Majority Whip respectively.

They were replaced by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (Kanu) and his Murang’a counterpart Irungu Kang’ata (JP) respectively.

"Our focus is to deal with the pandemic in the country right now but there those who want to politic constantly...some people are impatient and creating a little bit of friction," Tuju said.

"They are disobeying President Uhuru Kenyatta. We don't want our MPs to live in fear but we expect discipline. We don't want people campaigning for 2022 and yet we have economic challenges."

Speaking to K24 on Sunday night, Tuju said Uhuru is focused on ensuring Kenya recovers from Covid-19.

"You cannot have a leadership that is working at crossroads with the government. There must be discipline in both houses," he said.

"It is important for us to realise and appreciate that Kenya is bigger than any of us. Egos and self-interest will not serve the interests of nation-building and cohesion. Service to the people will."

Tuju further noted that those nominated senators who pledge their loyalty on social media should do so to the committee on disciplinary.

"They should take their loyalty to the committee. They don't answer to me or anybody but the National Executive Committee," Tuju said.

Nominated senator Christine Zawadi has pledged his allegiance to the Jubilee party after her name was included in a disciplinary list.

In the list, Chief whip Irungu Kangata listed Zawadi, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo, Victor Prengei, Mary Seneta Yiane and Millicent Omanga.

They are facing disciplinary actions for snubbing the president’s Parliamentary Group meeting last Monday.