•The speaker earlier claimed that Kenya Revenue Authority has informed him of its intention to scrutinise his tax records.
•Muturi has been meeting different political and business leaders from across the country after his crowning as Mt Kenya spokesman.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has denied opposing the leadership changes in the August House saying his sentiments were taken out of context.
The speaker said the assertions are driven by persons keen on driving a wedge between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a statement to newsrooms on Friday, Muturi said he was satisfied that the political parties in the current Parliament lawfully discharged members from leadership posts.
“The now carefully choreographed narrative that I am fighting President Kenyatta is the result of mischief and an evil agenda to drive a wedge between us,” he said.
“This one is among many narratives being peddled trying to portray a rift between the President and myself,” Muturi said.
The speaker on Wednesday made sentiments that were touted to mean he was turning guns against the President over the changes which largely affected Deputy President William Ruto’s allies.
In the changes, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale was kicked out as Majority leader and replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali was removed as Majority Whip and replaced by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen was de-whipped from the Senate Majority leader post and replaced by West Pokot’s Samuel Poghisio.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika was also removed as Majority whip in a raft of changes that also affected various parliamentary committees.
Muturi denied the claims of attacking President Kenyatta over the changes saying he neither disowned nor castigated the discharge of MPs from House leadership posts.
“In no way did I disown, or castigate the discharge of members from leadership in the National Assembly in the current Parliament because I am satisfied that due process was followed.”
He cited the procedures that were followed in the onslaught against the perceived Jubilee rebels saying they were in line with the current Standing Orders.
Muturi said the House rules “have cured the autocratic tendencies manifested in the past Parliaments” in respect of enforcing party discipline.
The procedure for removal of party officials in the August House starts with notification to the member of intended discharge.
He further stated that the procedure involves the right to be heard, notification to the speaker of intended removal, and that the changes were approved by the whole House.
“I am a strong opponent of political party dictatorship, which position I affirmed in my interview appearance at the Standard on Wednesday this week,” Muturi said.
The speaker’s sentiments have elicited talk he could be under the radar of the powers that be following his ambitions to succeed President Kenyatta.
Last week, he also claimed that Kenya Revenue Authority has informed him of its intention to scrutinise his tax records.
He dismissed the move as an attempt to intimate and threaten him because of his political position that is contrary to that of the current administration.
Muturi’s woes may have escalated after he read the DP’s speech at the funeral service of the Kianjokoma brothers, a move that heightened perceptions he was gravitating towards Ruto’s UDA camp, claims he has since denied.
He ruled out teaming up with UDA and that he "will not be bullied into joining any party" but will instead come up with his own.