Bigwigs dropped as Ruto, Raila present EALA favourites to Parliament

Several bigwigs allied to President William Ruto and Azimio boss Raila Odinga have been dropped from the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) list as parties submit their preferred nominees back to Parliament.

At least 20 big names who had applied to represent the country in the regional legislature did not feature among the 27 names who will be on the ballot as MPs vote on November 17.

A total 287 applicants expressed interest for the nine slots at the EALA, putting both President Ruto and Azimio's Raila in precarious situation of leaving out some close confidants.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, secretary general Nick Salat, Wiper national chairman Chirau Mwakwere, former Busia senator Amos Wako, former EALA lawmaker Simon Mbugua, former nominated MP Wilson Sossion and ex-Bomet MP Florence Mutai topped the list of those who were dropped.

Kanu later in the day after it was apparent that its party leader was not in the list issued a statement clarifying that the former Baringo senator had withdrawn his candidature.

“We would like to notify the public that Moi has since withdrawn his candidature to give the opportunity to the other candidates. He wishes them the best of luck in their endeavours,” Kanu Secretary Political Affairs Fredrick Okengo said in a statement.

Others who missed out are ex-MPs Bernard Bett (Bomet East), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Paul Bii (Chapalungu), Defence CAS Peter Odoyo, Mwangi Githiomo (Nyandarua), Zuleikha Juma (Kwale) and Gladwell Cheruiyot (Baringo).

Raila’s cousin George Midiwo and Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Odinga’s son Jaoko Oburu also missed out from the party’s favourites.

It was a delicate balancing act for Ruto and Raila to arrive at the list of 27 even as they are again confronted with a much complex hurdle of ensuring their preferred picks sail through to the EALA.

Both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio on Wednesday submitted longer lists to Parliament from which both Houses will elect Kenya's EALA representatives.

During the Wednesday nomination, only one out of the 16 independent candidates who applied was cleared with the rest including former Nyakach MP Ochieng’ Daima rejected for not submitting the requisite signatures of registered voters.

Duncan Mwangi Ndegwa representing persons with disabilities was the only independent candidate cleared by National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge and his senate counterpart Jeremiah Nyegenye who are the joint Presiding Officers.

Although UDA submitted 15 names, three for each slot, only five will be finally elected in a secret ballot on November 17.

In the UDA list are former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar, ex-nominated MP David Sankok, former Nandi Woman Representative Zipporah Kering.

Others are Rebecca Lewoiya, Godfrey Karobia, Joel Nyambane, Fredrick Muteti, Falhadha Dekow, Abdikadir Omar, Anne Too, Jonas Kuko, Cyprian Iringo, Lilian Cheptoo, Yasser Ali and Salim Mohammed.

Azimio on the other hand submitted 12 names including  Kalonzo’s son Kennedy Kalonzo (Wiper), Winfred Mutua (Wiper), Hellen Ndeti (Wiper), Winnie Odinga (ODM), Suleiman Shahbal (ODM), Justus Kizito (ODM), Mohammed Diriye (ODM) and Beatrice Askul (ODM).

Others were Timothy Bosire (ODM), Kanini Kega (Jubilee), Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee) and Fatuma Gedi (Jubilee).

From the six names submitted by ODM, only two will make it to EALA with Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper and Jubilee party having a single slot each.

It has emerged that both Raila and Ruto looked at gender, ethnic and regional diversities when they picked their shortlists on Wednesday.

Raila is facing a delicate balance to share the two positions to ensure the face of Kenya.

Already Raila's daughter Winnie, who is in the shortlist, would be guaranteed of the slot just like Kalonzo's son Kennedy.

Raila will then remain with one slot to dish out and also convince MPs to vote for the candidate.

Gusii region is staking claim to one slot given that both Kisii and Nyamira counties missed out of the minority leadership positions in Parliament.

In a bid to balance the stakes, Raila's party nominated Likoni MP Mishi Mboko to the Parliamentary Service Commission on Monday to take care of the interests of the Coast.

From Northern Kenya, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo is the Senate Minority Whip, with Western Kenya having a number of committee chairpersons.

Dullo has also been proposed to the take up the position of commissioner at PSC to take care of the Northern Kenya interests.

This leaves Kisii and Nyamira counties without any minority post in both Houses.

For Ruto, the President is also determined to use the slots to appease some regions as he consolidates his administration.

Some of the beneficiaries are politicians he promised seats when he asked them to step down for their opponents in the last polls.

Former URP secretary general Fred Muteti who served as Sports Kenya Board chairman and Kisii politician Okeng'o Nyambane are leading the pack for the UDA slots.

They were asked to forgo their political ambitions to support UDA candidates.

While Muteti has a long history of having worked with Ruto in URP, Okeng'o is his close ally and confidant.

Jonas Kuko, another key ally of Ruto, unsuccessfully contested for the Saboti Parliamentary seat in 2013 and 2017 and was prevailed upon by the President to pull out of the race in 2022.

Members of the public will have Thursday and Friday to inspect the nominees ahead of the voting on November 17.