Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and MPs Ndindi Nyoro, Gathoni Wamuchomba, James Gakuya, and Wanjiku Muhia.
Wednesday is the deadline for committee chairpersons who were ousted following recent elections in the National Assembly to relinquish their fancy offices to the new leaders.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula said following the re-organisation of the committees last week, those who occupied certain offices courtesy of their committee leadership have until March 19 to vacate so that the new occupants can be ushered in.
Among those that will be affected include Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia who was the chairperson of the Regional Integration committee, her Githunguri counterpart Gathoni Wamuchomba who was the chairperson of the constitutional implementation oversight committee, James Gakuya (Embakasi North) who was the chairman of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) of Budget and Appropriations committee.
“There are going to be adjustments in the occupying of offices within the precincts of parliament. Members who had been provided with office spaces on account of their leadership positions in committees and who have since ceased to be chairpersons or vice-chairpersons are required to relinquish such offices not later than Wednesday 19th 29025 as we seek to settle the new leadership,” speaker Wetang’ula directed during a special sitting on Friday.
“The clerk is hereby directed to immediately facilitate the new committee leadership in line with the constitution which include provision of suitable office space for the chairpersons as well as other administrative support,” he added.
Mr Wetang’ula however assured them that all members will have an office that reflects the new status.
“Nobody will be left unsettled but if you are not a chairperson or a vice chairperson, you will get an office commensurate with your status as an ordinary member of the House,” speaker Wetang’ula said.
In the new changes that took place last week, Mr Nyoro has been replaced by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, Ms Muhia has been replaced by nominated MP Irene Mayaka while Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali has taken over the Trade committee.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Ms Wamuchomba on the other hand has been replaced by Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi.
Most of those affected are allies of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Fancy offices
Chairpersons of critical committees such as budget and appropriations enjoy fancy and spacious offices provided by the Parliamentary Service Commission as part of enhancing their oversight role.
Unlike the offices of ordinary members, those of chairpersons have an additional room where the secretariat, who the chairperson relies on most, sits and consults from time to time.
So spacious are some of these offices especially the ones at Kenyatta International Convention Centre that they have a boardroom where the chairperson can meet his guests
Some chairpersons had pimped their offices bringing in fancy chairs and even expensive computers but at their cost just to conform to their status.
It is not clear whether they will move on with their properties to their newfound tiny offices as ordinary members as their status changes thanks to the ever-swinging political pendulum in the country.
Speaker Wetang’ula while making the announcement urged the incoming leadership to discharge their duty with integrity and take their new roles of serving the people seriously.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula.
“I call upon the new chairpersons and vice chairpersons to rise to the occasion to steer the committees to effectively and efficiently undertake their mandate,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.
The speaker also urged the new leaders to embrace integrity and equity and fairness in carrying out the affairs of the committee
He reminded those taking up leadership positions to always remember the oversight role bestowed to parliament by the constitution and delegated to the committees that they now head.
