Gachagua allies fall as MPs pick chairs of teams

MPs yesterday elected new committee chairpersons effectively replacing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies as the reality of the deal between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga kicks in.

The lawmakers spent the better part of yesterday electing committee chairpersons and their deputies in what was a choreographed exercise. Gachagua’s allies were shown the door and their positions taken over by ODM nominees in what is an extension of the political deal between the two political titans.

Topping the list of the casualties includes Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro who was replaced at the helm of the lucrative Budget and Appropriations committee by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi.

Ndindi ran into problems after keeping away from Gachagua’s impeachment, something that did not settle well with his sponsoring party–UDA.

Other Gachagua allies removed included Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who was replaced at the Trade committee by Ikolomani lawmaker Bernard Shinali.

Also axed is Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba who was the chairperson of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee.

She has been replaced by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba, who was the substantive chairperson at the Labour committee.

Nominated MP Irine Mayaka also makes an entry as the chairperson of the Regional Integration Committee replacing Gachagua’s loyalist and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia.

Seme MP took over the place of Endebes MP Robert Pukose at the Health committee. Pukose remains a member of the departmental committee as well as vice chairperson at the Budget and Appropriations committee.

At the Budget committee, Atandi was unanimously elected as chairperson after it turned out he was the only contestant who had submitted his papers at the close of nominations.

Standing Orders require interested members to fill forms to be submitted a day prior to elections. He was proposed and seconded by Florence Jematia (Baringo Woman Rep) and Danson Mwashako (Taveta MP).

Endebess MP Robert Pukose was proposed for vice chairperson by Mulu Makali (Kitui Central) and Atandi. The rules are that if only one candidate is nominated, the clerk shall formally declare the person elected without any vote.

Nyoro neither defended his seat by the deadline for nominations nor attend the meeting for election. On assuming the seat, Atandi thanked members of the powerful budget team.

“This is a demanding responsibility. I applaud the broad-based government. We have reached this point because of the broad-based government,” the MP said.

“I thank my party leader Raila and President Ruto for the idea of the broad-based government.” Atandi pledged to ensure uniform distribution of resources.

“We know the map of the republic of Kenya and know that resource sharing affects peace and stability.”