MPs fail to elect new law team chair

The committee to oversee the implementation of the new Constitution Wednesday got off to a rocky start as MPs from ODM and PNU differed over the election of its chairman.

A dispute over the election emerged after MPs from the ODM wing of the coalition sought to have the meeting postponed as four of their members were absent.

But the PNU side argued that there was enough quorum for the meeting to proceed with its first item on the agenda, which would give way for the rest of business.

ODM MPs Joyce Laboso (Sotik), Sophia Abdi (Nominated) and Danson Mwazo (Voi) were absent while Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes, PNU) was also missing.

Gwassi MP John Mbadi, who is a member of the committee, confirmed to the Nation that the MPs were divided along party lines on who is to chair the committee. 

“We just needed one more day to consult on the matter. Parliament did its job when it approved the names, we should not feel like we are being pushed to elect one person as the chair. It is upon us as the committee members to consult,” he said.

Other MPs who spoke to the Nation on the goings-on in the morning meeting said ODM MPs were adamant that Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) should be the chair.

The argument was that, it was not possible to have two men at the top, because the gender aspect had to be considered, especially in light of the provisions of the new Constitution.

The sources said that PNU and the Cabinet had proposed that Abdikadir Mohammed be the chairman, and that this meant that the vice chair ought to be a woman.

The argument, said the MP, is on the basis that the Mandera Central MP chaired the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Review.   

It was thus felt, he said, that PNU’s insistence on Mr Mohammed being chair was not reasonable given that “he had already done his work” as chair of the PSC.

A second meeting was scheduled to begin at the close of House business at 6.30 p.m., with no signs that the deadlock could be broken soon.

It is understood ODM’s quest to take the position of chairman was the reason the MPs wanted the meeting adjourned to Thursday to consolidate their numbers.

MPs Millie Odhiambo (Nominated), Elizabeth Ongoro (Kasarani) and John Mbadi (Gwassi) pushed for the adjournment.

But the proposal was rejected by PNU MPs Martha Karua (Gichugu), Chirau Mwakwere (Matuga) and Beth Mugo (Dagoretti), who wanted the election to go ahead.

Another MP, who attended the meeting, told the Nation that Clerk of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi had a hard time controlling the proceedings as the deliberations turned stormy.

Some MPs were also reported to have questioned the manner in which the meeting was convened. Speaker Kenneth Marende announced the venue and time of the meeting after the House unanimously approved the list on Tuesday evening.

ODM is represented on the 27-member committee by 14 MPs, while PNU has 13, which would make an election tricky for both if there is no consensus.

Mr Mohammed and Mr Namwamba had been proposed as chairman and deputy respectively and their election had been perceived to be a mere formality.

The failure to elect the heads of the committee means the implementation could be delayed further following Tuesday’s withdrawal of the first three bills on implementation.

Mr Gichohi told journalists after the meeting the bills and the committee’s workplan would be handled after the election of the heads, which he hoped would be completed last evening.

Sources told the Nation the Speaker and the Clerk later called a crisis meeting over the stalemate.