Mutuse poised for committee chair position in ongoing House changes

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse is poised to secure the chairmanship of a Parliamentary committee in ongoing changes targeting House leadership.

Already, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua has resigned as Parliamentary Service Commission commissioner as the apparent purge on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's allies kicked off.

The ruling party, UDA, picked Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga to replace Kinyua.

Mutuse, a first-term MP, made a mark in the political landscape recently by spearheading the successful impeachment of a sitting Deputy President.

Insiders said Mutuse or Molo MP Kuria Kimani could get the chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, currently being held by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

Kimani is the chair of the Finance Committee.

Nyoro’s loyalty to President William Ruto was put into question during the impeachment proceedings of Gachagua.

Mutuse is said to be also likely to assume leadership of the Roads and Transport Committee, which is currently helmed by Ndia MP George Kariuki Macharia.

Several committee members face the axe, including high-profile figures such as Gathoni Wamuchomba of the Constitutional Implementation Committee, James Gakuya of the Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives Committee, and Nimrod Mbai who chairs the Public Petitions Committee.

Others are Vincent Musyoka Musau of the Energy Committee, Kareke Mbiuki (Tourism and Wildlife Committee), Wanjiku Muhia (Regional Integration), and Johana Ng'eno (Housing, Urban Development, and Public Works).

Also facing the axe include senators Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu), John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Kanar Seki (Kajiado) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a).

Thang’wa chairs the Senate roads, transportation and housing committee, Methu is the chairman of the lands, water and natural resources team, while Murango is in charge of the agriculture committee.

Seki chairs the trade and industrialisation committee while Nyutu chairs the education committee.

Last month, Thang’wa confirmed the plot to oust them.

“We have been threatened and told that we are going to be removed from chairmanship. Bring it on. I was elected by the people of Kiambu. They never knew there were chairs inside Parliament,” Thang’wa said.

He said some of them have been targeted for their firm position against some government policies, including leasing out state properties.

“My committee, which is roads, transportation and housing, right now is discussing the issue of Adani. It is my committee that is supposed to come up with the recommendations and the report,” Thang’wa said.

“So, if they are to remove us for standing with justice, it is okay. It is fine. So long I belong, I stay and remain as the senator of Kiambu.”