President William Ruto and opposition chief Raila Odinga’s troops are plotting radical changes in leadership and membership of parliamentary committees.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies, chairpersons, vice chairpersons and absentee members are among those targeted in the looming purge.
Also on the radar for replacements are chairs, vice chairs and members of the powerful watchdog committees, who are allowed by the House rules to serve for a maximum of two sessions.
The changes are expected to happen as soon as the two houses – the Senate and the National Assembly – resume their regular sittings on February 11.
There are 18 sessional committees in the National Assembly and three in the Senate whose leadership and membership are set for overhaul.
“I want hereby to direct the majority leader and minority leader to move in earnest and reconstitute the 18 committees whose lives have come to an end with the last session,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said.
Wetang’ula directed the leaders to conclude the reconstitution of the panels and submit the final line-up to the House Business Committee for approval. He spoke during a retreat with the MPs in Naivasha last week, However, the Star has established that the purge will happen in most, if not all, committees.
Senate Deputy Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna said the changes will be instituted in dormant committees.
“I think there is a desire to overhaul all the committees, by many accounts some of those committees have lost steam and some have become dormant so we will have a conversation as leadership,” Sifuna said.
“Members have been very disappointed with the performance of the leadership of some of the committees. We have committees where 100 questions are still pending.”
The Star has established that President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Coalition and ODM will hold parliamentary group meetings that will, among others, ratify the changes.
Last year, Kenya Kwanza shelved its planned removal of Gachagua’s allies from leadership of the panels due to perceived political considerations.
“Ordinarily, in Parliament, there is always a review midterm whether committees are functioning properly and whether indeed the leadership of those committees are also serving the greater interest of the country,” said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa.
However, with the terms of members of committees coming to an end and riding on the urge to review the performance of the panels, Ruto could leverage the development to remove Gachagua’s troops.
The development comes even as it emerged that most committees have pending businesses among them bills, statements and petitions.
For instance, at least 200 legislative proposals are pending before the National Assembly departmental committees.
“I want to take this opportunity to urge chairpersons of the committees to expedite the process of dealing with the legislative proposals drafted by members and pending on their in-trays,” said National Assembly clerk Samuel Njoroge.
In the Senate, at least five Gachagua allies chairing crucial committees are facing the axe as Ruto and Raila move to stamp authority.
They include Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, who chairs the Roads and Transportation Committee and Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, who chairs the Education Committee.
Others are Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who is in charge of Lands and Environment Committee, Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar (Trade and Industrialisation) and Kirinyaga Senator James Murango, who chairs the Agriculture Committee.
“There are people who want committees but do not attend meetings. Some are overwhelmed with other personal pursuits and cannot find time to attend meetings,” Sifuna said.
“So, we will have that conversation with our members, but I think the desire is just to overhaul all the committees, not just the sessional ones.”
In the Senate, the sessional committees are County Public Accounts, County Public Investments and Special Funds and Delegated Legislation.
Among those who sit in the panels set to be affected are chairs Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) and Mwenda Gataya (Tharaka Nithi).
CPAC vice chairperson Samson Cherargei (Nandi) and panel members; Methu, Miriam Omar (nominated), Gataya, Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Sifuna (Nairobi) and Okiya Omtatah (Busia) will be affected by the changes.
CPISFC vice chairperson Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) and members Thang’wa, Tabitha Mutinda (nominated), Miraj Abdillahi (nominated), Eddy Oketch (Migori), Ledama Olekina (Narok), Hamida Kibwana (nominated and William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet) will be affected.
Delegated Legislation Committee’s vice chairperson Danson Mungatana (Tana River), and members; Gloria Orwoba (nominated), Joyce Korir (nominated), Julius Murgor (West Pokot), Dan Maanzo (Makueni), Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), Betty Batuli (nominated) and Agnes Muthama will be moved.
“I want to request the leadership to be very fair in reconstituting those committees and make sure members who have competence to serve are put in those committees,” said National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
The leadership of the House and political coalitions will base the looming changes on performance in the last two years. “Attendance will be used as a yardstick,” Junet said.
