•In a letter addressed to the Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata, Linturi said he does not have evidence that warrants the removal of Kindiki.
•Kindiki is among the senators who are close allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
Image: FILE
I will not 'sack' Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki this afternoon, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi has said.
In a letter addressed to the Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata, Linturi said he does not have evidence that warrants the removal of Kindiki.
Kang’ata had filed a motion to oust Kindiki. Kindiki is among the senators who are close allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
The Majority Whip expressed optimism the 48 senators whom he said are in support of his motion will help kick out Kindiki.
Two-thirds majority vote is needed to kick out Kindiki.
"It would be a serious dereliction of that sacred duty and a breach of Article 10 for me to become a thoughtless automation that unquestioningly endorses pre-determined outcomes on matters that come up for debate and resolution before the Senate," Linturi said on Friday.
"For the record, I am not unaware of any wrong committed by Kindiki."
Linturi said he is also unaware of any resolution made at a National Delegates' Conference of the majority party expressing lack of confidence in the deputy speaker.
"The edict set out in your letter is not only a breach of the Constitution but also a relic of a by gone era, in which members of Parliament sycophantically endorsed unconstitutional, unfair oppressive and illegal decisions just to appear loyal to the ruling party," he said.
"I am unable to abide by the edict set out in your letter. I should be much obliged however if you would kindly furnish me with the evidence of the allegations against Kindiki. "
Linturi said he will only make a decision on the motion after thoroughly and consciously considering such evidence.
Senators are set to determine the fate of its Kindiki during a special sitting which will be held on Friday at 2.30 pm.
Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka had published a notice for a special sitting on Wednesday.
Senators are set to debate on the matter before voting either to save Kindiki or kick him out and determine who will succeed him.
Kindiki found himself on the wrong side after skipping the Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting at State House on May 11 which was about changes to be made to the Senate leadership.