EALA nominations will be fair, parties pledge

Coalition partners ODM and PNU started the process of nominating their representatives to the regional parliament Friday with a pledge to ensuring fairness.  

The applications were handed over to Government chief whips Jakoyo Midiwo (ODM) and Johnstone Muthama (PNU) by Clerk of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi, to enable them  nominate the nine members who will represent Kenya to the East African Legislative Assembly  (EALA) from June.

ODM has the largest number of applicants —65—to compete for its five slots as the party with the majority in Parliament while PNU has four seats to share out between its 24 affiliates.

The elections will be held in Parliament on 31 May, through a vote under the general supervision of the House Speaker.

Go it alone

Nine applicants are seeking the ticket of Ms Martha Karua’s Narck-Kenya, a PNU affiliate but which has declared it will go it alone in the next elections. Among the 117 candidates cleared for nomination yesterday, 22 are women 12 are former MPs among them those seeking re-election.

Among former MPs seeking to cross over to EALA is Mark Too, a close ally of former President Moi who is seeking nomination through PNU.

Among those seeking a second term to the regional parliament are Ms Sara Bonaya of Kanu, the widow of the late cabinet minister Dr Bonaya Godana and Prof Catherine Kimura of Narc Kenya

Kanu insiders confirmed that the party will support the  re-election bid of Ms Bonaya within the PNU alliance.  In the list of those who want to join  the Assembly is Speaker Kenneth Marende’s personal assistant in Parliament Eunice Tsisika Lumallas, a lawyer, who is seeking the ODM nod.

Another parliamentary employee Ms Susan Cherotich Maritim, a clerk attached to the Constituency Development Fund committee is seeking the PNU ticket.

At a press briefing Friday, Mr Gichohi appealed to the nominating parties to adhere to the EAC rules that require them to take into account fair representation of political parties represented in each of their parliaments, regional balance, gender, shades of opinion and other special interests. A third of those elected must be women.

“The nominating parties must ensure that candidates are nominated through a transparent and democratic process and keep a written record of the proceedings at which the final decision to nominate any candidate was made,” said Mr Gichohi, who is the returning officer.

According to the rules, the returning officer in consultation with the Defence and Foreign Relations committee can reject the nominations and order fresh ones in case of a an unfair nomination process.

Best candidates

Mr Midiwo and Mr Muthama promised the aspirants that their respective parties would ensure fairness.

ODM is divided down the middle since Eldoret North MP William Ruto led his supporters, albeit informally, from the party to form United Republican Party (URP). Mr Ruto’s group has indicated the list picked by ODM must be acceptable to them.

"Those who have applied are ODM members and there is no UDF or URP.  We will call a meeting of all ODM members so that we can pick the best candidates. All those applicants are Kenyans and it is good to give everyone a fair chance. We will deal with it without acrimony,” said Mr Midiwo.

On his part, Mr Muthama assured those seeking PNU’s nomination of transparency.

"We will comply with the law and although we have 24 affiliate parties we will find a solution, and I do not foresee any problems.’’

Nominations will be held next Friday at County Hall after which the Foreign Relations committee chaired by Adan Keynan will vet those picked on the following Wednesday after which they will table the report in Parliament to pave the way for elections.