Parliament meets to approve House teams, auditor nominee

The National Assembly is set to meet on Wednesday to among other things confirm members of the reconstituted committees and approve the nominee to the office of the Auditor General.

Members will also pass the Division of Revenue Allocation Bill but this will be subject to approval by the Senate.

“Yes, it’s true a Special Sitting has been called for Wednesday, July 15. Members will deal with the three matters but for the DORA (Division of Revenue Allocation) one it will be subject to what will transpire at the Senate,” said the Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai.

Nancy Janet Kabui Gathungu, nominated to succeed Edward Ouko as the country’s second Auditor-General under the new Constitution, has since gone through vetting by the relevant committee and awaits approval of the House before President Uhuru Kenyatta formally appoints her.

On Thursday last the new National Asseembly Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya was forced to withdraw a list of the reconstituted committees after Jubilee and ODM failed to agree on how to share the slots created after Deputy President William Ruto’s allies were purged from the positions.

The two parties, which have been working together in the spirit of the ‘Handshake’, were headed for a clash on the floor of the House after failing to reach a deal on the leadership of three crucial committees forcing Kimunya to withdraw his list.

Under pressure

The Orange party has been eyeing the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Committee on Delegated Legislation and Finance Committee.

However a meeting between Kimunya and Minority Whip Junet Mohammed and agreed to iron out the differences by replacing MPs allied to Ruto.

Sources said Kimunya has since bowed to pressure and replaced members William Cheptumo and Gladys Shollei from JLAC and the Delegated Legislation committees respectively.

 A source told the People Daily that it was agreed during the meeting that Jubilee party will retain the chairmanship of the two committees while ODM will take the leadership of the Finance Committee.

Donate positions

Jubilee has since agreed to “donate” the chairmanship of the Delegated Legislation Committee to their cooperating partners Kanu and the Wiper.

Makueni MP Dan Maanzo had been proposed for the position but turned down the offer citing commitments at the constituency.

Kanu’s William Kamket has now been proposed to chair the committee to be deputised by an ODM MP.

“It is true I had been proposed for the position of chair Delegated Legislation but due to many commitments in my constituency I opted out. The position is too demanding and one might find himself in a very precarious position on the ground,” said Maanzo.

On the revenue allocation to counties, sources say President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered Senate reconvene on Monday to pass the DORA Bill.

“We have explicit orders from the President to pass the bill without further delays,” said a senator who sought anonymity.