This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Kimunya's First Days as Majority Leader Marred by Controversy ¶
Amos Kimunya, the new majority leader in the Kenyan parliament, has faced criticism in his first days in office. Some MPs have accused him of favoring allies of Deputy President William Ruto in the allocation of committee positions.
According to sources, Kimunya was leading a meeting to discuss the formation of one of the parliamentary committees when disagreements arose. The issue at hand was the allocation of committee positions, with some MPs claiming that Kimunya was favoring Ruto's allies.
Kimunya has maintained that the allocation of committee positions is a matter of fairness and that President Uhuru Kenyatta is aware of the list. However, some MPs have disputed this, claiming that Kimunya has failed to understand the gravity of the situation.
One MP, Ngunjiri Wambugu, has accused Kimunya of being insensitive to the needs of the parliament. Wambugu claimed that Kimunya was given a vehicle that was not suitable for his needs, likening it to being given a car with a full tank of fuel but no keys.
Kimunya has responded to the criticism, stating that the issue is not about him, but about the MPs who are refusing to accept the allocation of committee positions. He has maintained that the allocation is fair and that the President is aware of the list.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Kimunya will navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the Kenyan parliament.
