A quiet yet vicious lobbying has erupted in Parliament as MPs renew fight for membership to crucial committees up for reconstitution.
This is even as reports of a radical purge targeting lawmakers loyal to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are being muted.
The leadership is reportedly planning a radical shake-up in the bicameral House to replace disloyal House committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons with trusted allies, especially those who voted for Gachagua.
The Star has established that lawmakers have been engaged in intense lobbying for specific committees that they consider lucrative.
A source at the National Assembly leadership told the Star in confidence that MPs have been caucusing and claiming specific committee leadership as a bloc.
“It is true, members are mobilising as regions and laying claim of specific committees which they want to be the chair or deputies,” the source said.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Tuesday directed reconstitution of 18 committees in line with the House Standing Orders.
“The affected committees will be reconstituted to ensure the seamless execution of parliamentary functions,” Wetang’ula said.
In the Senate, anxiety has greeted the senators as leadership moves to reconstitute committees. Senate leadership has resolved to re-build all the 19 committees, triggering unease.
On Tuesday, the senators approved
names for the Senate Business Committee – a powerful panel that slots
business for the House.