Advertisement

Storm in Azimio over hogging of committee posts by few senators

Storm in Azimio over hogging of committee posts by few senators
Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni. PHOTO/Courtesy
Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Azimio-One coalition senators are grumbling over the decision by some of their colleagues to allocate themselves positions in more than three committees  to the exclusion of others.

They now want to kick out the House leadership even before the business of Parliament commences.

Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), asked why some senators were not allocated committees they have expertise in, adding that some were given more than three committees.

Currently, a committee chairperson gets Sh15,000 per sitting before tax, a vice-chairperson gets Sh10,000, and a member Sh8,000. Therefore, senators in more than two committees will pocket Sh16,000 per day should any of their two committees sit.

He argued that Prof Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) should have been nominated to the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

“He is a respected lawyer, a former president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), a former president of the East African Law Society (EALS), a former LSK representative in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and a distinguished professor of law,” he said.

“How can the Senator for Makueni county, a distinguished Member of Parliament, be given membership in only one Standing Committee whereas somebody else is taking four committee jobs? This is not right,”he said.

The Minority side has Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) as leader, deputised by Enock Wambua (Kitui), and Minority Whip Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) deputised by Ledama ole Kina (Narok).

In a motion passed last Thursday, Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) was placed to serve in the Delegated Legislation; Labour and Social Welfare Committee; Roads, Transportation; and Housing committees. He is also a member of the House Business Committee by virtue of his leadership position.

Dullo is to serve in Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee; County Public Accounts Committee; and National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations. She is also a member of the House Business Committee.

Ole Kina is to serve in Senate Health Committee; County Public Investments; Special Funds Committee; and is also a member of the House Business Committee.

Others allegedly in more than one committee include Wambua, Edwin Sifuna, and Omogeni himself (Labour and Social Welfare; and Health Committee).  The 14 committees will today start electing their chairpersons and vice chairpersons until Wednesday.

Author Profile

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.
Advertisement