Former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga’s influence in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is expected to grow further, with reports suggesting that he is being considered for a key role on a team to steer the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery efforts.
Speculation about a role for the former prime minister on the economic recovery council will especially unsettle the faction of the ruling Jubilee Party loyal to the Deputy President William Ruto.
The pro-Ruto camp blames Mr Odinga for fuelling the falling out in the ruling party, and sees the BBI reforms campaigns as part of a grand scheme to block Mr Ruto from succeeding President Kenyatta in 2022.
On Friday, senators removed Deputy Speaker Kindiki Kithure, extending a crackdown that started with the ousting last Monday of Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika as Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip, respectively, during a parliamentary group meeting,
Five nominated senators who skipped the meeting chaired by President Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, have been threatened with sanctions, including withdrawal of their nominations.
The Jubilee Party secretariat has warned of a similar purge in the National Assembly, where the Majority Leader Aden Duale and chairpersons of key House committees are also loyal to Mr Ruto.
