Western politicians protest to Ruto over Weta ouster claims

MPs from Western Kenya on Wednesday confronted President William Ruto over the never-ending speculations of a plot to kick out Moses Wetang’ula as National Assembly Speaker.

The lawmakers, the Star has established, demanded assurance that Wetang’ula’s position is safe and not negotiable, despite Ruto’s recent political deal with former premier Raila Odinga.

The jitters could signal disquiet among some Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties following the deal that has thrust Raila to the heart of power.

Raila has been handed key ministerial portfolios and over 10 PSs positions, making ODM the most consequential partner to UDA.

A number of MPs confirmed to the Star that the Wetang’ula issue erupted at a morning meeting at State House, where President Ruto hosted him that despite being an elder, he (Ruto) was the President and was in charge.”

During the unveiling of the UDAODM deal, Wetang’ula and Mudavadi were conspicuously missing. Both have, however, publicly expressed support for the deal.

“The UDA-ODM pact is a step in the right direction for Kenya. A united Kenya is a stronger Kenya. The agreement between President Ruto and Raila Odinga is not about political rivalry; it’s about dialogue over division,” Wetang’ula said.

Apart from the MPs, Wetang’ula and other top government officials, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, were present during the Wednesday meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Deborah Barasa (Environment) as well as all governors from Western region.

These include Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma).

There have also been jitters in Wetang’ula’s camp over the position of the Health Cabinet Secretary, which was part of the ringfenced positions for Ford Kenya party.

The President handed it to Aden Duale on Wednesday. Two women from Western have been dropped from heading the ministry.

Another source told the Star that they were shocked to later learn of the removal of Health Cabinet Secretary Barasa as they were not informed about the impending changes.

Hours after the State House meeting, Ruto swapped Barasa (Health) with Duale (Environment) in changes communicated by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

“It came as a shock, given that the President was heaping praise on the Health CS, telling us how she had been an asset in his Kenya Kwanza administration,” a senator told the Star.

Early this month, MPs from Wetang’ula’s Bungoma backyard accused top government officials within the Kenya Kwanza administration, including a sitting Cabinet Secretary, of undermining then Health CS Barasa.

MPs John Waluke (Sirisia), John Chikati (Tongaren), Wanami Wamboka (Bumula), Martin Wanyonyi (Webuye East) and Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai) vowed to name and shame the PSs and the CS involved in the alleged smear campaign.

The claims were triggered by in telligence that a reshuf e was looming.

The State House meeting comes months after Ruto’s extensive development tour of the Western region, during which he launched and commissioned several projects, including the disbursement of Sh150 million in dividends to Mumias Sugar farmers.

During the meeting that lasted more than two hours, the President also underscored the need for Western MPs ‘to behave like they are in government’.

Some lawmakers from the region have, however, dismissed the frequent State House meetings as immaterial, claiming nothing tangible has come out from them.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who claimed he was not invited, termed the State House meeting unnecessary since they have never translated to any project in Western Kenya.

“I have lost count on the number of times the President has had meetings with Luhya MPs, but what I am yet to count is any single project initiated in Western courtesy of these meetings,” Amisi posted on his X account.

“Western is still lagging behind in development, despite enormous support from our brothers in government.”

According to the Kenya Kwanza pre-election deal, both Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya and Musalia’s ANC were to get 30 per cent of government.

This translated to about six or seven Cabinet Secretary slots. So far, the community has two CSs positions. The 30 per cent would also apply to other government positions like Principal Secretaries, ambassadors and parastatal chiefs.

The positions were to be shared equally amongst the two political parties.

But ANC has since been dissolved and its leaders joined UDA.

The agreement, which was made public during the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, also gave the two Western parties Speaker of the National Assembly as well as Prime Cabinet Secretary slots.

“ANC and Ford-Kenya shall have 30 per cent share of the positions in the national government, including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, ambassadors/high commissioners/heads of diplomatic missions, chairpersons of state corporations, directors of state corporations and chairpersons and commissioners of constitution commissions, provided that the aforesaid 30 per cent share positions in the national government shall be shared equally between ANC and Ford Kenya,” says Article 21, clause (n), of the agreement deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties.

In addition, the community was to get 1,000km of tarmac roads across the six counties of Luhya nation.