Nairobi, KENYA: National Super Alliance coalition NASA has submitted the long-awaited House leadership members to the National Assembly speaker Justine Muturi for approval.
If the speaker approves the names on the list received on Wednesday, Suba member of parliament John Mbadi of Orange Democratic Movement ODM will be the minority leader, deputized by Kathiani Mp Robert Mbui who belongs to Wiper.
Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohammed will be the Chief Whip, deputized by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa of Ford Kenya party.
The NASA delay was attributed to unending wrangles between ODM, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya on how to share the slots.
However, while Mr Muturi received and accepted the nominees, Coast MPs, led by Suleiman Dori of Msambweni, called a press conference to protest the move.
According to the MPs, they were opposed to the list because Nasa did not call a parliamentary group meeting to choose the nominees. Also,they said the list lacked regional representation and gender balance.
Two of Raila’s key lieutenants, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and his Ugunja counterpart Opiyo Wandayi, have also taken issue with the endorsement of Mbadi without a Parliamentary group (PG) resolution.
According to the Standing Order 20 ( 4 ), the Whip of the Minority party or coalition is supposed to communicate to the Speaker in writing the decision on House leadership. This is to be accompanied by the minutes of the meeting at which the decision was made.
The coalition is now yet to agree on parliamentary committee membership including chairing two powerful watchdog committees – Public Investment and Public Account.
