Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has been removed as Senate Minority Whip.
This follows changes instigated by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, which will see Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina take over as the new Minority Whip. Ole Kina was the Deputy Minority Whip, a position which will now be held by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
This follows weeks of a standoff in the Senate after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi refused to effect the changes over an injunction issued by the Political Parties Tribunal.
On Wednesday, the Political Parties Tribunal struck out Dullo’s petition challenging her removal as Senate Minority Whip, saying it lacks jurisdiction in deciding the matter.
“Having found that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction it follows that delving into the question of the second complaints representation will be an exercise in futility that leaves us with no option but to down our tools. In the disposition of paragraph 52, the ruling is in the following effect, in light of the foregoing, we order as follows that the complaint and the application herein be and is hereby struck out and each party to bear its own cost,” the tribunal ruled.
Kingi communicated the changes on Thursday, March 16, 2023, ending a stalemate which had stalled the business of the house.
“Pursuant to Standing Order 23(6), I hereby convey the decision by the Minority party to discharge Senator Fatuma Dullo from the position of the Senate Minority Whip. The decision was arrived at at a meeting of the Minority Party held pursuant to Standing Order 23(4). In the place of the Senator, Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina was elected as the new Senate Minority Whip,” Kingi said.
“Further, Senator Edwin Sifuna was elected to the position of Senate Deputy Minority Whip,” added Kingi.
Senator Fatuma Dullo’s protests
Senator Abdul Haji and Senator Fatuma Dullo had objected to the removal, arguing that the Jubilee Party, under which Dullo is elected, had not left the Azimio Coalition and that they were unaware of a Parliamentary Group meeting that removed her from the position.
“Jubilee Party was unaware of the alleged Azimio PG to remove Senator Dullo as Senate Minority whip and consequently as Jubilee, never participated in the process and the same was therefore not duly constituted and is null and void,” Kingi quoted letters written by the two senators.
Dullo alleged that her proposed removal from the Office of Minority Whip went against fair administrative action and was a violation of the rules of natural justice.
