Thursday, April 17, 2014
A section of URP lawmakers have dismissed calls by their TNA counterparts for Garissa Township MP Aden Duale to step down as National Assembly majority leader. Duale was elected to the House on a URP ticket.
The two parties are in the ruling Jubilee alliance. Although the URP MPs said they are not aware of a plot to kick out Duale over his recent remarks on the government’s war on terror, they vowed to stand by him.
Baringo North MP William Cheptumo said Duale was properly endorsed by the Jubilee coalition parliamentary group. “The accusations do not warrant his removal,” Cheptumo said.
Aldai’s Cornelly Serem said Duale has done an "exemplary job" defending the government in the House. “We all have opinions over issues but it is wrong to be condemned just because yours is different from the others," Serem said.
However, another URP lawmaker who did not want his identity revealed said the war on terror is "not a sports game". “He should know that he is the leader of majority and his duties entail promoting the interest of the government in the House. He should know that the interests of the government override those of his constituents,” he said.
TNA MPs have been pushing for Duale’s removal on the grounds that he is a terrorist sympathiser. They say his remarks on the Eastleigh swoops do not befit his status as the majority leader.
Duale’s SMS to Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau last week fuelled resentment against the majority leader. Kasarani MP Chege Njoroge told the Star the lawmakers will push for Duale’s removal because he has "shown total disregard to war on terror".
“We did not expect him to speak the way he did. His position does not allow him to say the kind of things he said,” he said. TNA plans to summon a Parliamentary Group meeting when Parliament resumes next week.
Tiaty MP Asman Kamama has been identified as Duale’s possible replacement as majority leader. Seven MPs from the Somali community have warned they will defect from Jubilee should Duale be removed.