Nasa meets to fill House seats

The leadership of the opposition National Super Alliance in the National Assembly and the Senate will be the main agenda today as the coalition meets to finalise its list. 

The parliamentary group meeting to be held at the offices of Wiper party— a member of Nasa alongside ODM, Amani National Congress and Ford-Kenya— will be addressed by the coalition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi.

LEAKED LIST

Nasa has already settled on Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) and Suba South MP Mr John Mbadi (ODM) as minority leaders in the the Senate and the National Assembly.

However, a leaked list that includes Lugari MP Ayub Savula (ANC) as Mr Mbadi’s deputy, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui (Wiper) as minority whip,  Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa (Ford-Kenya) as his deputy in the National Assembly caused jitters, with Coast MPs led by Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori (ODM) threatening to leave Nasa.

However, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi urged opposition MPs to concentrate on the October 26 fresh presidential election instead of being consumed on who should be on the list.

“The bigger picture for us at this moment is to deliver votes to our presidential candidate, the rest can be dealt with later,” Mr Wandayi said.

WIPER

In the Senate, Siaya Senator James Orengo (ODM) has been mentioned as Mr Wetang’ula’s deputy, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Wiper) as minority whip with Ms Petronilla Were (ANC) as his deputy.

Mr Odinga has since termed the leaked list as a rumour, saying the coalition will agree on the final one either at the PG or one of its planned retreats.

On Wednesday, Mr Mbadi noted that the other  would  be agreed on during the PG today.

Mr Mbui said Wiper party has no problem with the list.

“As Wiper we have no problem with the list. I want to advise our ODM colleagues that there are many other positions in the committees and PSC that they can get. For this House leadership positions, it is only fair that they are shared with all coalition partners,” Mr Mbui said.

SPLIT

On Tuesday, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi told the leadership of Nasa to ensure that the minutes endorsing the list are attached to the letter formally notifying the speaker of the coalition’s decision. 

An ODM MP, who did not want to go on record, noted that if what was leaked were to remain the same, the leadership of Public Accounts Committee, Public Investments Committee and that of committee on implementation should then go to the Coast MPs.

“There has to be balance within the party and the region,” the MP said.        

Even as the push and pull goes on, Ugunja MP Mr Opiyo Wandayi (ODM) and Nambale’s Mr Sakwa Bunyasi (ANC) have been mentioned as favorites to head the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr Dori is also tipped to chair the Public Investments Committee as part of concessions that Nasa has to make to accommodate the Coast lawmakers.

Both PAC and PIC are watchdog committees in the National Assembly. They are equally highly political seats and therefore require strong leadership.

Kajiado Central MP Mr Elijah Memusi (ODM) and Malindi’s Ms Aisha Jumwa (ODM) could get slots in the parliamentary service commission.

WANGA

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga may forego her position in the parliamentary service commission as she comes from the same region as Mr Mbadi.

On Wednesday, differences in the opposition played out on the floor of the National Assembly as the House was notified of a proposal to create a special committee to consider the Supplementary Budget.

This emerged after Dr Wamalwa asked the Speaker to provide direction on what would happen in the absence of the Opposition MPs in the committee named by Majority Leader Aden Duale.

Mr Duale said he had spoken to Mr Mbadi, who stated that he would have to consult Mr Odinga on the matter.

“Hon Mbadi is still looking for Baba at Capitol Hill or Okoa Kenya or that other office,” said Mr Duale as he expressed his readiness to add to the list of the Opposition provides the names.

SAVULA

But Mr Savula, who had been named as deputy minority leader before the list was contested, differed with the Nasa position.

He said the Speaker should abide by the list read out by Mr Mbadi at the induction workshop before Nasa Chief Executive Norman Magaya said there had been no agreements.

“Ayub Savula is the deputy minority leader and things are not going to change. We are going to consult and give you names by the end of the day,” Mr Savula said.

But the Speaker told him the Opposition would have to abide by the Standing Orders, which require that the letter by the Minority Whip on the leadership be accompanied by the minutes.

“You have expressed a desire to be the deputy. I would really urge that we can resolve that matter so that the House can operate as a House.”