Kericho Assembly Leadership Changes After Meeting with DP Gachagua

The leadership of Kericho County Assembly has changed for a record five times in five months.

During a meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the party ordered the immediate removal of Vincent Korir (Londiani) as the majority leader. Instead, the party reinstated Kamasian Ward Representative Philip Rono.

The President William Ruto-led party retained Haroun Rotich of Cheptororiet/Seretut Ward as the Majority Whip.

Kapsuser Ward Representative Peter Kemoi was dropped from his majority whip position.

Read: Feuding Kericho MCAs Have Dubai Trip Cancelled, Summoned by DP Gachagua

“Mr Gachagua was very candid that the UDA party position must prevail with the Speaker (Dr Mutai) being warned that should he defy the directives, then he will be removed from the position as he is a party member,” a source privy to the goings-on told the Nation.

In attendance were; Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina and Speaker of the County Assembly Patrick Mautai and the 47 MCAs.

Earlier, the meeting which was pushed from Wednesday to Thursday, was supposed to be attended by the Ward Reps and the DP.

“Please note that the UDA Kericho MCAs’ meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday January 18, has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 19 at 8:00 am. The meeting will be chaired by the Deputy President, H.E Rigathi Gachagua at his Harambee Annex office,” read a message from UDA secretary general Veronica Maina.

Read Also: Kericho MCAs To Receive Sh2 Million in Allowances For Five Day Training at Weston Hotel

On Tuesday evening, 14 MCAs had their week long trip to Dubai cancelled. This was following a fight in the chambers the previous week.

The fight in the chambers broke out after Korir was reinstated as majority leader replacing Rono.

The changes were effected by Speaker Patrick Mutai who has since been summoned by the UDA disciplinary committee.

The party had days earlier ratified a new list of house leadership team. 

Read Also: Kericho Assembly’s Majority Leader, Whip Reinstated by UDA

“You failed to guide the house in giving effect to the party’s clear directions in the matter and as a result, there arose confusion, confrontation, violence and commotion,” read the letter addressed to Dr Mutai.

“As a member of the party, you are expected to conduct your affairs in a manner that promotes its image, interests and accords its values and principles, a duty which you failed to discharge in this instance.”

On Sunday, the President reprimanded the Ward Reps saying it was time for service delivery, not wrangling for positions.

“Kericho MCAs must stop the nonsense. shame on you. The people of Kenya voted for us to implement development projects and not to fight over positions,” Dr Ruto said. 

“The differences of the MCAs to a level of fighting in the assembly chamber is a shame. Shame on you.”