Babu Owino Removed as Kenya Young Parliamentarians Associations Secretary General
A month after vacating the position, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East was removed as Secretary General of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Associations (YPA) last night.
In a meeting convened by Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje at the residence of Saboti MP Caleb Amisi in Karen, Nairobi, the member was replaced with the nominated member Irene Mayaka.
Senator Hezena Lemaletian, nominated by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Mark Mwenje were also replaced. Rep. Irene Kasalu of Kitui was appointed to replace Lemaletian as treasurer.
Mark Mwenje, who resigned as Deputy Secretary General, stated that the replaced officials were not abandoning the organization, but rather relinquishing their leadership positions to focus on other duties.
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“We do not intend to move out as Azimio from KYPA. We will fight from within unless the position becomes untenable and then it will be a loss for everyone,” the legislator said.
The newly appointed treasurer, Irene Kasala, explained that the decision not to give leadership positions to first-term MPs was deliberate and calculated.
“Mostly, these seats are given to first times but we felt there was a need to have maturity and guidance. That is what I wish to offer KYPA,” she stated.
Mayaka, speaking promptly following her replacement of Babu Owino, vowed to lead the group in its efforts to check the government and defend Kenyans.
Next week, when the KYPA conducts a retreat in Mombasa, the newly-appointed leaders will officially assume their positions.
KYPA was founded in 2004 as a lobbying organization for under-40 MPs. Currently, there are 70 members in the organization.
This comes despite the fact that Babu Owino was expelled from parliament and suspended for four sittings on Thursday, August 10 for protesting publicly during a discussion of KYPA leadership.
Babu Owino Removed as Kenya Young Parliamentarians Associations Secretary General