ODM has its way to see Ruto allies out of key House committees

Raila Odinga’s ODM has finally had its way in the fight over Jubilee Party spoils after Deputy President William Ruto’s allies were yesterday placed in less powerful National Assembly committees.

President Kenyatta’s ruling party gave in to ODM’s demands to kick out Dr Ruto’s allies from key committees to avoid friction during the impending reforms that will require Parliament’s input.

Former Majority Leader Aden Duale is the only DP ally who was placed in a powerful committee and will serve in the watchdog Public Accounts Committee chaired by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.

During the reconstitution of the committees, former Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Kimani Ichung’wa was moved to the Members’ Services Committee.

Mr Ichung’wa had initially been placed in the Finance and Planning Committee but ODM protested, forcing Jubilee to withdraw the list. Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyiyi takes over the chairmanship of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), previously held by Mr Maoka Maore the new deputy majority whip.

KICKED OUT

Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and former chairperson of the Delegated Legislation Committee Gladys Shollei was moved to the House Procedure Committee chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi.

Her replacement is Tiaty MP William Kamket of Kanu, who will be deputised by Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, who was kicked out as the majority whip, will now serve as an ordinary member in the Broadcast Committee.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who was not appointed to any committee after being dewhipped as vice-chairperson of the Transport Committee, is now on the Committee on Implementation, chaired by Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta.

Meanwhile, Ugenya MP David Ochieng has been moved from the Health to the National Cohesion and Integration Committee. The new list will be presented to Mr Muturi today ahead of its ratification by the whole House during a special sitting Wednesday.

Minority Whip Junet Mohamed confirmed to the Nation that they have now agreed on everything as far as the composition of House committees is concerned.

STANDING ORDERS

“It is true that we have concluded all issues and after the passage of the names during tomorrow’s special sitting, members will move to elect their respective chairpersons as stipulated in the Standing Orders,” he added.

In the new arrangement, ODM will chair the Education and Finance and Planning committees.

The party will also have vice chairpersons in the Legal Affairs and Constitution Implementation Oversight committees.

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga will chair the Finance and Planning Committee while her Busia counterpart Florence will head the Education Committee.

Pokot South MP David Pkosing has retained his post as chairman of  the Transport Committee, as has  Marakwet West MP William Kisang’, who will continue chairing  the  Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library Broadcasting Committee.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo is be the new deputy chairperson of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee while Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma will be the new vice-chairman of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), chaired by Uhuru ally Jeremiah Kioni.

Kangema MP Muturi Kigano will chair the Legal Committee while his Kieni MP Kanini Kega will chair the powerful Budget And Appropriations Committee.

DEWHIPPING

In the agreement, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau of the Wiper Party will chair the Sports, Culture and Tourism committees. The position fell vacant following the dewhipping of Machakos MP Victor Munyaka.

In addition, Wiper will also hold the vice chairmanship of the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee chaired by nominated MP Maina Kamanda.

Yesterday, Minority Leader John Mbadi said the party had not submitted the name of the person to occupy the position.

MPs Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South) and Muchiri Nyaga (Manyatta) were left in the Legal committee as they are deemed not to be  threats to any reform agenda, despite being the DP’s allies.

Some committees currently do not have chairpersons, a factor that the House wants to resolve so that they can continue discharging their duties.

ODM had threatened to shoot down the initial list which gave the DP’s allies a soft landing in powerful committees, arguing that they cannot be trusted with the reform agenda, especially the upcoming BBI report, most parts of which will require legislative proposals for implementation.