Storm brews in URP over jobs, expulsions

Deputy President, William Ruto chats with Governor Isaac Ruto during a Sunday service in Bomet County. A storm is brewing in the United Republican Party after its leadership announced it had expelled nine nominated members of the Bomet County Assembly from the party. PHOTO | DPPS | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The party’s National Executive Committee Thursday adopted recommendations of a disciplinary committee that probed the conduct of the MCAs.
• Last evening URP called a crisis meeting to stem a potential falling out over the recent government appointments to State corporations.
• Those expelled from the party include Ms Aurelia Chepkirui, Ms Bency Too, Ms Beatrice Chepkirui, Mr Patrick Chepkwony, Ms Taplelei Rotich, Ms Rose Boiyon, Ms Josephine Rotich, Ms Nancy Chepkirui and Ms Hellen Chepkirui.

By SAMWEL BORN MAINA
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By JEREMIAH KIPLANG'AT
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A storm is brewing in the United Republican Party after its leadership announced it had expelled nine nominated members of the Bomet County Assembly from the party.

The MCAs are alleged to have violated the Political Parties Act and the party’s constitution.

The party’s National Executive Committee Thursday adopted recommendations of a disciplinary committee that probed the conduct of the MCAs.

Eight of the expelled nine members are women. The NEC said they would receive communication on the decision through dismissal letters to be sent to them.

The decision came as Deputy President William Ruto is said to be planning to meet Rift Valley MPs who are disgruntled over skewed government appointments, among other issues affecting the region.

The expelled leaders were alleged to be loyal to Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who has been at loggerheads with the Deputy President.

“They were summoned here and they gave their side of the story. They were given a fair chance and after listening to them, they were found guilty. They will, however, get a chance to appeal the decision,” said URP National Chairman Elias Bare Shill.

CRISIS MEETING

Those expelled from the party include Ms Aurelia Chepkirui, Ms Bency Too, Ms Beatrice Chepkirui, Mr Patrick Chepkwony, Ms Taplelei Rotich, Ms Rose Boiyon, Ms Josephine Rotich, Ms Nancy Chepkirui and Ms Hellen Chepkirui.

Last evening URP called a crisis meeting to stem a potential falling out over the recent government appointments to State corporations.

The party hurriedly convened the meeting, scheduled for Weston Hotel on Lang’ata Road in Nairobi, after MPs, mostly from the Rift Valley, expressed their anger following omission of persons they proposed for consideration.

Marakwet West MP William Kipsang was tasked with informing his colleagues of the meeting set for Wednesday after they cancelled a press conference they had called earlier.

Some MPs are also aggrieved that their rivals in the last General Election were appointed without consultation.