MPs plot House coup against Raila

MPs critical of Prime Minister Raila Odinga want to use a motion to be debated Wednesday to hit back at him.

The motion calls for the appointment of Leader of Government Business. It is expected to recommend that the President makes the appointment.

The government has been without a leader in the House after Mr Odinga objected to the President’s appointment of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Mr Odinga and his party argued that as the coordinator and supervisor of government, he ought to be leader government business in Parliament.

His critics now think that blocking him from the crucial role might be a better way of signalling their unhappiness than a motion of censure.

They reached the conclusion that a no-confidence vote, at a time when the PM enjoys considerable public support over his position on the conservation of the Mau Forest, could be counter-productive.

Some Rift Valley MPs had been canvassing for support for a vote of no-confidence against Mr Odinga, allegedly for allowing the inhumane treatment of Mau evictees.

The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, which created the office of prime minister, says the PM can only be removed through a resolution of the National Assembly supported by a majority of members.

On Monday, the Daily Nation learnt that some of Mr Odinga’s critics would take advantage of the motion moved by PNU’s Jamleck Kamau to ask President Kibaki to appoint Mr Musyoka as Leader of Government Business.

Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua claimed that MPs opposed to Mr Odinga were determined to ensure that the PM did not get the job.

Mr Mbugua said the MPs will eventually censure him “because he has stepped on so many people’s toes even in his party”. The vocal but not widely influential MP was clearly not expressing the views of all PNU MPs.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto distanced himself from the motion but accused Mr Odinga of “acting beyond his mandate and conduction himself as if he was above the law.”

Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri and Molo MP Joseph Kiuna had opposed the no confidence plan, describing it as selfish and hypocritical.

Mr Kiuna said the motion was “hatched by land grabbers who benefited from the Mau settlements”.

Mr Kamau wants the President to appoint the Leader of Government business who will also chair the all-powerful House Business Committee which sets the agenda for Parliament. The VP has traditionally held the position.

President Kibaki re-appointed Mr Musyoka when the House resumed its second session but Mr Odinga rejected the move, sparking a stalemate.