The lawmakers spent the better
part of yesterday electing committee
chairpersons and their deputies in
what was a choreographed exercise.
Gachagua’s allies were shown the
door and their positions taken
over by ODM nominees in what
is an extension of the political deal
between the two political titans.
Topping the list of the casualties
includes Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro
who was replaced at the helm of the
lucrative Budget and Appropriations
committee by Alego Usonga MP Sam
Atandi.
Ndindi ran into problems after
keeping away from Gachagua’s
impeachment, something that did
not settle well with his sponsoring
party–UDA.
Other Gachagua allies removed
included Embakasi North MP
James Gakuya, who was replaced at
the Trade committee by Ikolomani
lawmaker Bernard Shinali.
Also axed is Githunguri MP
Gathoni Wamuchomba who was
the chairperson of the Constitutional
Implementation Oversight Committee.
She has been replaced by Runyenjes
MP Eric Karemba, who was the
substantive chairperson at the Labour
committee.
Nominated MP Irine Mayaka also
makes an entry as the chairperson of
the Regional Integration Committee
replacing Gachagua’s loyalist and
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia.
Seme MP took over the place of
Endebes MP Robert Pukose at the
Health committee. Pukose remains
a member of the departmental
committee as well as vice chairperson
at the Budget and Appropriations
committee.
At the Budget committee, Atandi
was unanimously elected as
chairperson after it turned out he
was the only contestant who had
submitted his papers at the close of
nominations.
Standing Orders require interested
members to fill forms to be submitted
a day prior to elections.
He was proposed and seconded
by Florence Jematia (Baringo Woman
Rep) and Danson Mwashako (Taveta
MP).
Endebess MP Robert Pukose was
proposed for vice chairperson by
Mulu Makali (Kitui Central) and
Atandi.
The rules are that if only one
candidate is nominated, the clerk
shall formally declare the person
elected without any vote.
Nyoro neither defended his seat
by the deadline for nominations nor
attend the meeting for election.
On assuming the seat, Atandi
thanked members of the powerful
budget team.
“This is a demanding responsibility. I
applaud the broad-based government.
We have reached this point because
of the broad-based government,” the
MP said.
“I thank my party leader Raila and
President Ruto for the idea of the
broad-based government.”
Atandi pledged to ensure uniform
distribution of resources.
“We know the map of the republic
of Kenya and know that resource
sharing affects peace and stability.”
