Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro turns to Jubilee in attempt to fight ouster

Some Coast MPs rejected the planned removal of Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro as National Assembly Minority Whip, even as it emerged that a CORD parliamentary group meeting had on Tuesday sealed his fate.

A day after reports indicated the group had passed a vote of no confidence against Mung’aro for rebelling against the coalition, yesterday the latter backed by some Coast MPs turned to rivals Jubilee for help in protesting his removal.

MPs Abdulswamad Sharif (Mvita), Mwalimu Mwahima (Likoni), Isha Katana (Women Rep), Mustapha Idi (Kilifi South), Dan Kazungu (Malindi Town) and Senator Steward Madzayo told a press conference at Parliament Buildings yesterday that Mung’aro was unfairly targeted.

“Mung’aro should have been given a fair hearing under the rules of natural justice. Dictating his removal is not only unlawful but also discriminatory,” said Abdulswamad who read the statement.

The MPs met under the Coast Parliamentary Group caucus, which Munga’ro chairs to reject the ouster, and which brings together MPs from various parties.

Six Jubilee MPs led by Majority Deputy Leader Naomi Shaban were present at the meeting, which demanded Mung’aro’s reinstatement although the decision is within CORD’s purview.

Garsen MP Ibrahim Sane and his Bura counterpart Ali Wario both from Jubilee said they had attended the meeting in solidarity with their chairman. Other Jubilee MPs in the meeting were Peter Shehe (Ganze), Hassan Dukicha (Galole), Harrison Kombe (Magarini) and Sharrif Ali (Lamu East). Munga’ro was effectively dropped as the Opposition chief whip after CORD unanimously passed a resolution to censure him. Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu is earmarked to succeed Mung’aro.

The position of Mung’aro was on the agenda list at the parliamentary group meeting, with several MPs especially those from Coast, pushing for his ouster for openly defying the party.
An earlier lunch hour meeting held at Parliament Buildings turned stormy with MPs Hezron Awiti (Nyali), Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) and Mishi Mbogho (Mombasa Woman Representatives) being thrown out. Taita Taveta Woman Representative Joyce Lay entered the meeting briefly before walking out.

During the Tuesday meeting, parliamentary group co-chaired by CORD Principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Muysoka and Moses Wetang’ula, Coast MPs were asked to nominate another person to replace the ousted whip. The Kilifi North MP was accused of failing in his duties.