Parliament reshuffles teams to balance regional interests

Parliament has initiated a fresh reorganisation of its committees in a move aimed at balancing regional interests and accommodating recently elected lawmakers.

The changes, tabled on Thursday, saw several lawmakers moved to influential departmental and oversight committees as party leadership sought to accommodate demands from different regions and political blocs.

The changes also saw Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka dropped from the powerful Public Investment Committee on Governance Committee.

The first-term lawmaker has now been placed at the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity.

The reorganisation also introduced new faces into committees that had previously been dominated by senior legislators, with party whips arguing the move would inject fresh energy and improve oversight work.

The motion proposes a fresh line-up for the Public Investments Committee.

Wamboka who chaired the committee has been replaced by Luanda MP Dick Maungu.

PIC Governance and Education is mandated to examine audited accounts of state corporations, universities and public institutions under governance and education sectors.

The motion before the House also proposes retain the current membership of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education with a new additional member drawn from across the political divide.

Among those proposed to serve in the reconstituted committee are MPs Boyd Were (Kasipul), Kiili Daniel Karitho (Igembe Central), Mumina Gollo Bonaya (Isiolo County MP), Mark Samuel Mwenje (Embakasi West), James Githua Kamau Wamacukuru (Kabete), Nzambia Kithua Thuddeu (Kilome).

Others are Maurice Bisau (Kiminini), Shadrack Ithinji (South Imenti), Mangale Chiforomodo (Lungalunga), Ondieki Alfah (Bomachoge Borabu), Francis Sigei (Sotik), Mohamed Tubi (Isiolo South), Rebecca Tonkei (Narok County), Moses Kirima (Central Imenti).

The reshuffle also touched several departmental and select committees to accommodate new members who were elected in the just concluded by elections including Emurra-Dikkir MP David Kipsang Keter.

The inclusion of new faces in key committees, including the movement of Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba to the Finance and National Planning Committee.

Wamuchomba replaces Betty Maina, who has been moved to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Emurra Dikkir MP Kipsang was nominated to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee replacing Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur.

Kitur was moved to the Departmental Committee on Regional Development replacing Wamuchomba.

Sirisia MP John Waluke was also heads to the Special Funds Accounts Committee replacing Teso South MP Mary Emaase Otucho.

In another change, Harrison Garama was nominated to the Departmental Committee on Education replacing Luanda MP.

The House is expected to debate and approve the changes next week on Tuesday afternoon.