President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have struck a deal on sharing of National Assembly committee leadership posts to avoid paralysis in the House following a divisive ruling on which side is the majority.
Allies of Mr Odinga are now set to take up leadership of some crucial committees previously chaired by lawmakers from the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance, with allies of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua among the casualties.
In exchange, it was agreed that Azimio drops its quest to initiate the impeachment of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula , who angered opposition lawmakers after ruling that Kenya Kwanza was still the Majority side. Following a meeting at State House on Monday, Dr Ruto reportedly agreed to allow Azimio to chair critical committees.
The meeting was attended by the President, his deputy Kithure Kindiki , Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, his Minority counterpart Steward Madzayo, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo. The committees that Azimio will lead include the powerful Budget and Appropriation, Health, Trade and Industry, Labour, and Regional Integration.
The Budget committee was chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro; Endebes MP Robert Pukose led Health; Labour was chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba; Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia was in charge of Regional Integration; and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya chaired Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Azimio coalition is to submit names to the committees by afternoon today (Tuesday).
In the deal, Azimio has also been handed five vice chairpersons of committees of their choice. Dr Ruto told the Minority leadership to decide the committees whose vice chairpersons they would like to appoint. The meeting agreed to balance committee leadership to reduce political tension that was building following a declaration by Mr Wetang’ula that Kenya Kwanza is the Majority.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“Yes, as Azimio, we have a deal with Kenya Kwanza on the leadership positions. More details will be there tomorrow (today),” said a senior leader in Parliament. “We have not decided on whom to give the positions, but we will discuss as a coalition after wide consultations and ensure the best to occupy them.”
With the new changes, the purge of Mr Gachagua’s allies has now been extended to the National Assembly, with Ms Muhia and Mr Gakuya sent packing.
Senators Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Karungo wa Thang'wa (Kiambu), James Murango (Kirinyaga), John Methu (Nyandarua) and Kanar Seki (Kajiado) were last week kicked out as chairs of the committees they led last year.
The lawmaker had also said they would not participate in any committee meetings, including those of the House Business Committee until the speaker rescinded his decision.
Speaker Wetang'ula gives directions on House leadership divide
The re-organisation of the committees will also give the Minority side an opportunity to replace its former leader, Opiyo Wandayi, and former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson John Mbadi, both of whom joined the government as Cabinet Secretaries for Energy and the Treasury, respectively.
Mr Wandayi served as the vice chairperson of the selection committee, a position that will now be assumed by Mr Mohamed, courtesy of his position as the Minority leader. This means Ms Odhiambo will join the selection committee as a member, courtesy of her new position as the Minority whip. The powerful Committee on Selection nominates members to serve in committees, save for membership of the House Business Committee and the Committee on Appointments.
During the mid-term retreat of MPs in Naivasha, Mr Wetang’ula had urged Mr Ichung’wa and Mr Mohamed to ensure fairness and inclusivity, while maintaining a focus on the expertise and contributions of members to maximise the productivity of the House while making the changes. He also urged MPs who will find themselves kicked out of committees not to seek help from his office, saying he has no placement powers.
“I hereby direct the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to move in earnest and reconstruct the 18 committees whose life has come to an end with the last session,” Mr Wetang’ula said.
“Now get ready to bring to House Business the new list of members to various committees, so that we can process and have new leadership or continued leadership with the committees taking into account, as you say, performance, regular attendance of committee meetings, and the industry to which you put in those attendances,’ the Speaker added.
Mr Wetang’ula also told MPs who will find themselves kicked out from some committees not to go to his office seeking help saying he has no powers to place them in any committee.
“You know none of you can be denied a membership of at least one or two committees, the work is going to be done by your leadership. Please don't visit the office of the speaker and ask him to help to be placed in any committee because he has no such capacity,” Mr Wetang’ula said.
Among the committees whose life has come to an end are HBC, Powers and Privileges Committees, Procedure and House Rules Committee and Members Services and Facilities.
Others are 15 appropriation and general purposes committees including Public Accounts Committees (PAC), Budget and Appropriations Committee, Public Debt and Privatization Committee.
Public Petitions Committee, Committee on Implementation, Committee on Delegated Legislation, Regional Integration Committee and National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity are also on the list.
Mr Ichung’wah, who also chairs the selection committee, said the reconstitution of the committees will reflect the various capacities, expertise and abilities as well as industry exhibited by members.
