The Senate building in Nairobi.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s allies continue to reap big from his newfound political working relationship with President William Ruto, with the former premier now wielding significant power in the Senate.
The development comes after President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance ceded the leadership of five crucial House committees to ODM in line with political camaraderie between the two political outfits.
ODM has been chairing only the two watchdog committees of the Senate – County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee – in the past two and a half years.
However, the party has landed the chairpersonship of five committees always controlled by the majority side in the Senate.
The Senate has 20 committees, and four are for housekeeping and are either chaired by the speaker or the deputy speaker.
The four housekeeping committees are the Senate Business Committee, the Liaison Committee, the Procedures and Rules Committee and the Powers and Privileges Committee.
The remaining 16 committees are, however, open for other members of the Senate, with the majority side often controlling 14 of them.
Nevertheless, the truce between the political rivals has seen ODM land the chairperson of seven committees, translating to half of the number, with Kenya Kwanza left with five while United Democratic Movement (UDM) and Jubilee Party with one apiece.
The political bromance, which saw senators allied to the two leaders sweep all committee leadership positions on offer, sparked scathing criticism from senators in the camp of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp, who boycotted the elections, saying they will not “legitimise an illegality”.
President William Ruto (left) and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“I cannot be part of the rubber stamping squad where a list comes from the State House and your work is just to propose and second. There is no need to waste my time by attending such a charade and be part of legitimising already appointed chairs and vice chairs,” said Kirinyaga Senator James Murango.
In what appeared to be a rubber-stamping of an already known list, ODM and United Democratic Alliance were the biggest winners of the elections.
Even the Jubilee Party, which was the first party from Azimio la Umoja to jump ship to Kenya Kwanza after the 2022 elections, even before the broad-based government happened, got a chair and vice chair positions in the elections.
As part of the trade-offs, the party also walked away with the vice chairperson of two more committees, signalling the growing close working relationship between the two foes-turned-friends.
During the recent committee leadership elections, Mr Odinga’s senators wrestled control of the leadership of committees previously chaired by senators allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Among the winners are Mr Odinga’s brother, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga who is now the Energy committee chairperson taking over from Nyeri counterpart Wahome Wamatinga.
Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga has been dropped by the Azimio coalition from top PSC job
Senator Wamatinga was elevated to a commissioner with the Parliamentary Service Commission, taking over from Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, who paid the price for being a supporter of ex-DP Gachagua.
Nominated Senator Betty Montet landed the chairperson position of the Education Committee, replacing Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, another ally of Mr Gachagua.
The new working relationship further saw Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki land the leadership of the Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, replacing Mr Gachagua-allied John Methu (Nyandarua).
Kwale Senator Issa Boy was elected as the new chairperson of the Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism Committee in place of Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku, another supporter of Mr Gachagua.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was elected as the Roads, Transportation and Housing Committee chairperson, replacing Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, a senator allied to the former Mathira MP.
In addition to the top positions, ODM also landed the vice chairperson in the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations committee through Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda and in the CPAC where Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was a vice. The position is now held by Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma.
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma retained her vice chairperson position in the Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
ODM nominated Senator Catherine Mumma.
Last year, President Ruto and Mr Odinga forged a close political relationship towards the end of the Gen Z protests, leading to the formation of a broad-based government as part of the youth pushback.
The move saw the incorporation of four ODM leaders into the new-look government, including Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), John Mbadi (Treasury), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME) and Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy).
The Head of State was also the chief campaigner for Mr Odinga in his failed bid to replace Moussa Faki as the African Union Commission chairperson.
Recently, the two have hinted at an alliance between the two parties ahead of the 2027 elections, where Dr Ruto will be seeking re-election.
comulo@ke.nationmedia.com
