President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. [Photo/ PSCU]
Farmers in Uasin Gishu County have expressed their displeasure with attempts by the Jubilee party to remove Moiben MP Silas Tiren as National Assembly Agriculture Committee chairman.
This is after Tiren was elected to the post at the expense of a candidate who was being fronted by the party.
Speaking in Eldoret town on Friday, the farmers led by Uasin Gishu branch Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) director Kipkorir Menjo said Tiren is the best candidate to head the Agriculture committee.
The farmers threatened to take unspecified action should the Jubilee party have their way in removing Tiren, whom they say has been vocal in addressing their issues.
"Tiren is well conversant with agriculture issues due to the fact that he comes from an agricultural area and it's surprising that the Jubilee party is overlooking this issue and want him replaced with someone who has no basic knowledge of the sector," said Menjo.
"As farmers, we demand that Tiren remains the chairman or else we shall convene a meeting and give a common stand should he be replaced," he added.
The other three MPs who were elected against Uhuru’s wishes are Alfred Keter (Labour committee), Kangogo Bowen (Environment and Natural Resources), and James Gakuya (Broadcasting and Library).
Despite Tiren together with the three other MPs remaining defiant over a directive to resign from the committees’ chairmanship, the Jubilee party seems determined to have their preferred candidates take up the positions, with President Uhuru Kenyatta now actively involved in the process.
Uhuru recently ordered members of the four committees to remove the four elected chairmen.