Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday met with Jubilee MPs who were ousted from House committees, pointing to an indication he is bolting out of the party.
Tellingly, the meeting was held in Jubilee Asili Centre, which is not the official Jubilee office.
Jubilee Headquarters are located in Pangani along the Thika Superhighway.
During the meeting, blogger Dennis Itumbi, who was fired from State House, posted a banner similar to that of the Jubilee Party but in different colours.
Yellow, which was the theme colour of Ruto’s URP party is conspicuous.
They are also now using a different slogan, Sote Pamoja, instead of the original Jubilee Party’s Tuko Pamoja.
“DP @WilliamsRuto currently meeting all the recently dewhipped Legislators at The Jubilee Asili Centre. Message – let us now play our role on other matters now that you are free of Parliamentary Leadership responsibilities MOVE from…BOARDROOMS & interact with #HustlerNation ” Itumbi tweeted.
The new development is perceived to be a public declaration of the fallout between Jubilee members.
Taking to Twitter, Ruto acknowledged that the meeting took place. He said some of the members had been assigned other responsibilities.
“Had lunch with Jubilee MPs who were recently assigned other responsibilities in te party. Thanked them for exemplary service to the party and the nation. I implored them to continue focusing on Jubilee’s people-centred transformational agenda now and in the future. SOTE PAMOJA,” Ruto said.
Senators who were ousted from Jubilee Party leadership and House committees also attended the meeting hosted by Deputy President.
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They include Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi).
“Thank You @WilliamsRuto for hosting us! We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. J.K. Rowling. SOTE PAMOJA,” Kihika tweeted after the meeting.
Early on Thursday, the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi approved the expulsion of 16 Jubilee Party members from parliamentary committees.
The members were given the notice through new Majority Whip Benjamin Wangwe. They were accorded seven days to respond.
Some of the 16 members include; Alice Wahome – Justice and Legal Affairs and Catherine Waruguru – Members Services’ and Facilities.
