Changes in parliamentary committees loom as ODM-UDA sign cooperation deal
For the 20 departmental committees, nomination papers must be submitted to the Director's Office at Bunge Tower by Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 5 pm.
The National Assembly has announced vacancies for the offices of committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in 38 parliamentary committees, with elections scheduled for March 12 and 13, 2025.
In a letter dated Thursday, March 6, 2025, addressed to legislators, the Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge declared the vacancies, citing the powers conferred under the provisions of Standing Order 179 (2).
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This follows the re-constitution and approval of members to serve in 38 committees on March 5, 2025.
MPs interested in vying for the positions are required to collect nomination papers from designated offices.
Moreover, those seeking leadership roles in the Audit, Appropriations, and General Purpose Committees must submit their nomination papers to the Director's Office in Continental House, Parliament Buildings, by Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5 pm.
For the 20 departmental committees, nomination papers must be submitted to the Director's Office at Bunge Tower by Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 5 pm.
The elections for the 18 Audit, Appropriations and General Purpose committees will be conducted on March 12, 2025, while the 20 departmental committees will hold their elections on March 13, 2025.
This extensive reshuffle comes on the heels of a prolonged delay that had stalled key legislative processes, including the processing of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Supplementary Budget II for the Financial Year 2024-2025.
The delay was attributed to a political standoff between President William Ruto's party and opposition leader Raila Odinga's coalition, which had hampered the formation of the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), a crucial entity in budgetary matters.
However, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed signalled the end of the standoff and the beginning of the ODM-UDA deal in Parliament in a circular on Thursday to members of the minority benches.
Junet listed the Budget and Appropriation Committee chairperson's position as a minority side's post set to be occupied by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi in place of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro who is seen as a Gachagua ally.
Other allies of the ousted DP, such as Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya also lost their committee positions.
Wamuchomba, who had chaired the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), was moved to the Members Facilities and Services Committee, while Gakuya was transferred from the Trade Committee to the Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library Committee, which reportedly meets less frequently.
Seme MP James Nyikal is expected to lead the Health Committee with Nominated MP Irene Mayaka taking the reins as chair of the Regional Integration Committee.
"During the reconstitution, we considered regional balance, gender representation, political affiliations, and other negotiations," stated National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro.
He further explained that over 90 MPs had expressed interest in joining the Budget and Appropriations Committee, necessitating a comprehensive review to accommodate diverse interests.
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