Opposition slams Jubilee over EALA nominees

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale at a media briefing at Parliament Buildings in the past. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • At a press conference in parliament on Thursday, the eight opposition MPs, led by Leader of Minority Thomas Mwadeghu, said Jubilee was using Cord as an excuse to delay the election as it schemes to have the election conducted in the 12th Parliament.
  • The Senate, which had convened a special session to deliberate the report on the nomination of members to the regional Assembly, rejected amendments brought by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang which sort to delete recommendations that obligates the Opposition to nominate seven extra names.

Politicians allied to the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) have accused their Jubilee counterparts for frustrating elections for members to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The term of the current EALA members is due to expire on June 4, but the election of the new members has sharply divided the two coalitions.

At a press conference in parliament on Thursday, the eight opposition MPs, led by Leader of Minority Thomas Mwadeghu, said Jubilee was using Cord as an excuse to delay the election as it schemes to have the election conducted in the 12th Parliament.

“We cannot create a crisis in the East African region because of personal parochial interests. Jubilee must do what it promised the Kenyan public and dispense of this matter,” said Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi.

Mr Mwadeghu declared that Cord will not submit more nominations as recommended by the Joint parliamentary Committee, saying doing so will play into Jubilee's schemes to choose for the Opposition who to go to EALA.

"Let them know that at no circumstances will Cord submit more names as recommended by the Committee," he said.

RULES

The protests by MPs were a culmination of a day of high drama on the matter in Parliament.

The Senate, which had convened a special session to deliberate the report on the nomination of members to the regional Assembly, rejected amendments brought by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang which sort to delete recommendations that obligates the Opposition to nominate seven extra names.

Mr Kajwang’ had opposed the committee report arguing that the law has given political parties discretion to submit to Parliament a minimum and Maximum number of nominees.

“The five numbers we have submitted are within the minimum the law provides,” he said, while accusing the joint committee of setting aside rules adopted by both Houses on the election of EALA members.

Interestingly, when pushing the motion, Senate majority Leader Kithure Kindiki had pleaded with the Opposition to submit the seven additional names and save the country from subjecting the region in a political paralysis.

“It is not a must that Kenya should always be whipped into complying with the East African Community Treaty. Let’s not colour this election with small interests,” Mr Kithure told the House.

PROCEDURAL MOTION

In the National Assembly, there was indication that the House leadership from Jubilee was not in a hurry to bring the motion on the floor. This forced the leader of Minority Thomas Mwadeghu to move a procedural motion that would have seen the House only rise after dispensing debate on the report.

However, Majority leader Aden Duale opposed the motion pointing out that it could only be debated with a requisite quorum, forcing the Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso to order for the quorum bell to be rung.

However, Mr Duale walked out and asked Jubilee MPs not to attend.

“We want the Speaker to take stern action against Mr Duale. He cannot raise the issue of quorum and walk out, this is grossly disorderly,” Ms Millie Odhiambo, Mbita MP, said.

However, Mr Duale dismissed the accusations from the MPs accusing Mr Mwadeghu of failing to whip his own members.

“There were over 60 Cord members in the lobby when the quorum bell was rung how come Mr Mwadeghu was unable to convince them to enter the chambers?” he asked.