- Wandayi is the minority leader in the National Assembly.
- Mbadi apart from being PAC chairman is also holding a nominated seat.
Race to fill some of the lucrative positions in Parliament after President William Ruto named four ODM linchpins to Cabinet has begun.
Those picked include two ODM deputy party leaders – former governors Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya- and the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee chairman John Mbadi.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi who is serving as the ODM secretary for political affairs was also nominated to the new look Cabinet.
Already members have started angling for the positions held by both Wandayi and Mbadi.
Suba North MP Millie Mabona and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has expressed interest.
"For clarity I do not want any deputy leadership position in Parliament. I have declared interest in minority leadership. I have not changed," Mabona said.
The Suba North MP is backed by a number of women MPs including Kisumu Town West lawmaker Rosa Buyu.
Seme MP James Nyikal, Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) and Jared Okelo (Nyando) have also expressed interest for Wandayi’s job.
The seat was ringfenced for ODM following negotiations that followed the 2022 general elections.
Insiders told the Star that Amollo is being considered by ODM to succeed Wandayi who is heading to Kawi House, if MPs approve his nomination to the Energy docket.
A lawyer by profession, Amollo has been instrumental in defending the party as well as Azimio's interests in court, including two landmark presidential petitions in 2017 and 2022.
The lawmaker is also viewed as sober leader who is capable of bringing the fragmented minority sides together in the house.
Nyando MP Jared Okelo said Otiende has enough experience to steer the Azimio ship.
“Otiende has undivided attention to the principles of ODM, he has been around now for seven years and that is enough time to steer the minority side,” he said.
“Otiende and I also enjoy a cordial relationship with our colleagues in the National Assembly, so both of us have what it takes.”
ODM Youth President John Ketora has expressed interest to replace Mbadi who will resign as a nominated MP.
According to the party’s nomination list submitted to IEBC in the run-up to 2022 elections, Ketora is next.
There are 12 members nominated by each parliamentary political party to represent the special interests of youth, persons with disabilities and workers.
ODM nominated Mbadi to represent workers.
Should the party bypass Amollo, Okelo says he is also able to take the position given that Kisumu county is currently not represented in the leadership.
“If you were to go by the Luo Nyanza counties, Siaya now has a flag same with Homa Bay. Additionally Siaya and Homa Bay have people sitting in the speakers’ panel while Migori is represented by Junet Mohammed as the minority whip. So in the spirit of equity, I deserve,” Okelo said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who protested after showing interest for PAC chairmanship before it was given to Mbadi yesterday said he is no longer eyeing the oversight seat.
“Yes, I wanted to be the chairperson but now I am more than qualified for the position,” Babu said yesterday.