From left: ODM MPs James Nyikal (Seme), Sam Atandi (Alego Usonga), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South) Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani).
The taking over of crucial committees in Parliament by allies of Mr Raila Odinga now places them at the centre of critical sectors that have faced numerous challenges in the recent past.
In the elections concluded last week, Mr Odinga allies are now in charge of the Budget and Appropriation, Health, Labour and Trade, Industry and Co-operatives committees.
The minority side is taking charge of the committees at a time the National Assembly is approving the budgets for the various sectors.
It is the rough road ahead that was at the centre of talks when Mr Odinga met his lieutenants who were elected to the various positions on Thursday.
Mr Odinga told the leaders that they must now settle down and work for the people.
The former Prime Minister said the meeting focused on issues affecting Kenyans negatively in parliament which they agreed to address immediately.
“ODM Members of the National Assembly recently elected into committee leadership positions visited me. We discussed current economic issues affecting Kenyans negatively that parliament must address immediately and find solutions,” Mr Odinga said.
Mr Atandi told the Nation that Mr Odinga told them to carry the ‘Orange flag’ with dignity and live by its dictates.
“He (Raila) told us to be focused and carry the Orange flag high. He told us not to forget that ODM stands for fairness, good governance and people’s approach,” Mr Atandi said.
On the task awaiting him at the budget committee, Mr Atandi said the main aim of the broad-based governance is to change how things are done, declaring that it will not be business as usual.
“We don’t want a shareholding approach in the budget-making process, where regions get resources based on how they voted for the government of the day, which will not happen. Budget is about sharing the resources of the country equitably,” Mr Atandi said.
“We will be pragmatic in sharing resources. We will ensure that everyone gets something, and I’m happy that the president has promised to support us,” he added.
Chairperson of the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee and Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi at the County Hall Nairobi on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
The budget committee has the mandate to investigate, inquire into and report to the House on all matters related to coordination, control and monitoring of the national budget, as well as discuss and review estimates and make recommendations.
It also examines the BPS and Bills related to the national budget, including the Appropriations Bill, and evaluates tax estimates, economic and budgetary policies and programmes with direct budget outlays.
Lawmakers consider it lucrative because sitting in it means one is in a pole position to lobby for allocation of budget to projects in his constituency giving them political mileage during campaigns.
Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali elected as the chairperson of the Trade, Industry and Co-operatives taking over from Embakasi North MP James Gakuya said he is aware of the road ahead but exuded confidence that he will deliver.
“This is a big committee that affects the economy, I will do a retreat in April to understand the issues affecting us. Is it about the figures? Or policies, once we know these, we will plan on how to get an outcome,” Mr Shinali said.
Mr Shinali said that Mr Odinga also emphasised to them to prioritise service to the people more than anything else.
“He told us that we have taken the seats at a critical time and the country is looking for us to perform. He told us there is no room for laziness as we must give Kenyans the desired results,” Mr Shinali said.
A file photo of Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali.
In the Health committee, Seme MP James Nyikal is taking over at a time when the country is raising questions about the viability of the Social Health Authority (SHA)
At the table of the committee that Dr Nyikal, a well renowned medic in the country will have to deal with is the Sh104.8 contract for the health digital system that was used for the establishing of the new system.
The committee is yet to table its report on the matter. The House has demanded full disclosure of the details of the deal.
The lawmakers want the ministry of health to give details of the contract which they said was rushed as there was no adequate public participation before its implementation.
The system is a critical pillar of the Universal Health Care which is expected to provide equitable access to health services for all Kenyans.
The committee now under the leadership of Dr Nyikal will now be critical in addressing the numerous issues facing the new health system and budgetary matters related to the sector.
While taking over the committee, Dr Nyikal said he does not take new responsibility lightly, recognizing the health sector’s vital role in the well-being of our nation.
“I was overwhelmed by the numerous letters, phone calls, and emails from people across the country eagerly awaiting the results. It shows that Kenyans have high expectations of this committee, and with the current political arrangement, we have a great opportunity to deliver,” Dr Nyikal said.
“We as a committee are going to streamline the operations of Saccos. Problems of cooperatives emanate from their leadership. Within no time after our retreat, we should be able to call you and give you our action plan,” he added.
In the labour committee, Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, an ODM lawmaker who has also taken over as the new chairman, is expected to streamline the policies in the labour sector.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara at her office in Nairobi on August 23, 2021.
In the education committee, Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara is now the vice chairperson, where she is expected to work with the chairman, Julius Melly from Kenya Kwanza to address the numerous challenges bedevilling the sector.
The new working relationship between President Ruto and Mr Odinga is expected to ease the work of the ODM MPs in discharging their duties in the House.
