JUBILEE MPS PLOT TO RESCUE SPEAKER MUTURI

Kenya: Jubilee lawmakers are plotting to scuttle debate on the censure motion against National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi. And if the plan fails, they will use their numerical strength in the august House to ensure the motion is thrown out. Majority Leader Aden Duale, who is leading the crusade to shield Mr Muturi, described the motion by Kibwezi West MP Patrick Musimba as an attempt to divert Kenyans' attention away from the corruption issues raised. Mr Duale described it as "a waste of time and diversion of public focus from serious corruption scandals unveiled in some House committees". He said the motion was orchestrated by people who were vehemently against the Powers and Privileges Committee investigating the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as directed by the Speaker. Speaking in Garissa town after inspecting the progress of a Sh400 million roads construction project by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) yesterday, Duale said the Opposition wanted to divert attention from the Moses Cheboi-led committee to the Speaker. See also: In Kenya we believe in fairy tales, even when public coffers are plundered "We know for a fact that the Opposition is very much involved in these issues. Those who are fighting the Speaker are those who are involved in PAC, which belongs to the Opposition," he said. Duale said the Jubilee leadership was behind the Speaker and "will do everything to protect him as far as making sure that the dignity and integrity of the National Assembly is protected". "Those of us who fight corruption and stand for Parliament's integrity, those of us who blew the whistle on PAC and its chair, will stand with the Speaker come Tuesday," he added. Duale said the Speaker should not be victimised because he was the leader of the House and had the moral, legal and ethical obligation to defend the integrity of the National Assembly. In his Mt Kenya backyard, Muturi is already receiving support, with the majority of MPs vowing to oppose the motion set to be debated tomorrow. MPs Mutava Musyimi (Mbeere South), Peter Weru (Mathira) and Joseph M'Eruaki (Igembe North) separately claimed the private members' motion could have been driven by a different agenda than the one he made public.