This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
July 14, 2020, marked a significant day in the Jubilee-led House as Deputy President William Ruto's allies were dealt a major blow. The hardliners were removed from key departmental committees and reassigned to less prestigious ones.
However, former Leader of Majority Aden Duale was fortunate enough to be placed in the powerful Public Accounts Committee.
Reconstituted lists compiled by new Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya and Leader of Minority John Mbadi saw Ruto allies Kimani Ichungw'a, Moses Kuria, Gladys Shollei, and Benjamin Washiali replaced in the revised list.
ODM was given the lead in two committees, with Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga heading the Finance Committee and Busia counterpart Florence Mutua chairing the Education one.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo was appointed as the vice-chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega, instrumental in the process of removing Ruto allies, was placed in charge of the powerful Budget Committee.
Ichungw'a was reassigned to the Members' Welfare Committee, Kuria to Implementation, Washiali to Broadcasting, and Shollei to Rules and Procedures.
Other notable changes included Bomet Women Rep Joyce Korir and Nixon Korir (Langa’ta) being placed in the Members Service Committee, while Lugari MP Ayub Savula (ANC) was moved from the influential Transport Committee to Trade.
However, two of Ruto's allies, David Pkosing and William Kisang, were retained as chairmen of the Transport and ICT committees, respectively, following good working relationships with CSs James Macharia (Transport) and Joe Mucheru (ICT).
Former Leader of Majority Aden Duale expressed his readiness to serve in any committee, stating, 'I am not aware of the changes but my position is that I am ready to serve in fulfillment of my duties to oversight, represent, and legislate functions given to me by the Constitution as a member of Parliament.'
On the other hand, Kimani Ichungw'a expressed his disinterest in any position, saying, 'I am not interested in any position and am not even aware that they have placed me in a committee.'
