This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Kenya: Jubilee, ODM Lawmakers Clash Over Committee Slots ¶
July 3, 2020
President Kenyatta and his political foe-turned-friend Raila Odinga intervened to avert a possible showdown on the floor of the House after Jubilee and ODM lawmakers failed to agree on the leadership of key committees.
The two parties are eyeing the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Committee on Delegated Legislation, and the Budget and Appropriation Committee.
According to sources, a meeting between Majority Leader Amos Kimunya and Minority Leader John Mbadi failed to reach a consensus on how to share the positions, prompting the minority side to threaten to reject the list on the floor of the House.
Mr. Kimunya refused to give in to the demands of the minority side to take charge of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and the Committee on Delegated Legislation, both formerly chaired by Dr. Ruto's allies.
The Orange party has already fronted Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo to take charge of the committee following the de-whipping of Mr. William Cheptumo (Baringo North).
With no agreement in sight, the minority side reached out to Mr. Odinga, who in turn called the President.
The Head of State reportedly called Mr. Kimunya and told him to withdraw the list and engage the minority MPs.
"We had already mobilised our troops to reject the new composition of the list of committee members on the floor of the House after failing to agree," said the source who requested not to be named to avoid jeopardising further consultations.
Key among the concerns of the Odinga-led troops in Parliament was that the Tangatanga wing, which pledges their political allegiance to the DP, dominated most committees where ODM lawmakers were supposed to be elected as chairpersons.
