Women leaders demand JP meeting to address fall out

Female MPs affiliated to Jubilee yesterday asked the President to convene a parliamentary group (PG) meeting to address divisions in the ruling party.

Woman representatives Rahab Mukami (Nyeri), Sabina Chege (Murang'a), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), Joyce Korir (Bomet) and Maragua MP Mary Njoroge called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to convene a meeting "to tell us when the pact between him and (Deputy President William) Ruto changed."

They said the rift in the party was widening as Dr Ruto's allies - Tanga Tanga Movement - and their opponents - Kieleweke -sustain attacks on each other.

Speaking at a sacco meeting for Nyamachaki PCEA Women’s Guild in Nyeri, yesterday, the women blamed their colleagues for the divisions and said if the fallout was official, then Uhuru should inform party members.

“Jubilee is one party, and we stand firmly behind both the President and his deputy and we will continue to support them and we will not be intimidated,” Ms Chege said.

Fanning divisions

She said some leaders in Mt Kenya region were fanning the divisions by accusing Ruto's allies of betraying Uhuru.

“We hope that President Uhuru will be wise and not listen to those who are driven by malice,” Chege said.

Ms Njoroge said Mt Kenya region voted for both Uhuru and Ruto, adding that the Head of State gave MPs permission to work closely with the DP.

“Now ‘they’ are telling us that if we are seen with the DP then we are against the President, what has changed? The President should call for a PG meeting and announce that there is a split,” she said.

“Mt Kenya region is not going to betray DP Ruto,” she added.

Ms Korir and Ms Gitau said they would not waiver in their support of the DP just because their security detail had been withdrawn.