This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
July 17, 2020
Following the recent changes in parliamentary committees, Raila Odinga's ODM party has emerged as a major beneficiary, with its members landing plum posts in key committees.
At least four crucial National Assembly committees have been taken over by Raila's allies, a move seen as an attempt to tighten the grip of the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga on Parliament.
Among the key committees now under ODM control are those set to play a crucial role in implementing the Building Bridges Initiative proposals, aimed at actualizing the handshake between the two leaders.
Gladys Wanga, the Homa Bay Woman Representative, has been elected as the chair of the powerful Finance and National Planning Committee, making her the first woman to hold the post.
Wanga expressed her gratitude to President Uhuru Kenyatta and her party leader Raila Odinga for their trust in her, saying, 'I thank HE Uhuru Kenyatta for his magnanimity and my party leader Raila Odinga for his faith in me.'
As chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee, Wanga will have unfettered access to crucial government agencies and departments, with the power to approve government revenue measures.
She will be deputized by Roysambu MP Waihenya Ndirangu.
Other key committee posts secured by Raila's allies include the Education committee, chaired by Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, and the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, vice-chaired by Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo.
Amolo, a legal expert who served in the committee of experts that crafted the 2010 Constitution, is expected to offer his expertise in pushing for the BBI bills.
The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee, which exercises supervisory role over all state agencies on the implementation of the Constitution, has also been taken over by ODM, with Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma as its vice-chair.
