Poll reforms team faces snag as leaders differ

Senators James Orengo (left) and Kiraitu Murungi, chairmen of the joint parliamentary select committee discussing reforms of the polls body, address a sitting on July 13, 2016 at Parliament. Jubilee lawmakers have threatened to boycott the meetings. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • A Cord member in the committee told the Nation on Sunday the team had agreed not to respond to the issues raised by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.

Discussions of the joint select committee on electoral reforms could this morning be rocked by emerging differences between Jubilee and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy.

Cord lawmakers in the committee are planning to ask the co-chairmen, Senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), what direction the discussions ought to take after their Jubilee counterparts spoke out at the weekend.

On the other hand, the Jubilee lawmakers have threatened to boycott the meetings if the Opposition does not give a commitment in writing on the demands of the ruling coalition.

A Cord member in the committee told the Nation on Sunday the team had agreed not to respond to the issues raised by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.

The MP, who asked not to be named as he was discussing the issue off the record, said: “They are the ones who said we must go through a parliamentary process. Standing Orders do not allow a member to prosecute matters of the committee outside the team. They are playing with fire.”