- Senators later had lunch at Panafric Hotel.
- Kindiki removal requires the support of 45 senators.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday met Jubilee and Nasa senators at State House, Nairobi, ahead of the removal of Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as Senate deputy speaker.
The motion against Kindiki will be tabled this afternoon and thereafter senators will take a vote. At least 45 senators must vote in favour of the motion for it to sail through. Speaker Kenneth Lusaka will preside over the sitting.
Some 51 lawmakers allied to the President and Opposition chief Raila Odinga attended the meeting, which started moments after 9am.
The senators were picked from Parliament Buildings by a bus straight to the House on the Hill before they proceeded for lunch, courtesy of the President at Panafric Hotel.
Senators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, led by Mithika Linturi (Meru) stayed away. The senators then held a closed-door meeting (Kamkunji) in Parliament ahead of the sitting that starts at 2.30pm.
Several senators who attended the meeting told the Star in confidence that the President implored them to vote in favour of the motion to kick out Kindiki.
"He has told us to support the motion and we feel the grounds are there to support it. So, that is how we have decided," a Jubilee lawmaker said.
Another senator said, "I agree with the President. The party leader must be respected. Some of these people were handpicked and now they are disrespecting the President."
(Edited by F'Orieny)