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Two-hundred-and-sixty-two members of the National Assembly are jostling for positions in seven committees regarded as lucrative.

The leadership of the House disclosed to members that, despite the membership of committees having reduced, some have attracted requests from more than 100 members, yet they require about 20 members.

Among the committees in demand are Budget and Appropriations (BAC), Transport and Infrastructure, Water and Irrigation, Health, Energy, Finance and Public Accounts (PAC). Standing Orders stipulate that every MP has the right to serve in at least one committee of the House.

In the Budget and Appropriations Committee, over 100 MPs from both sides of the divide have expressed interest for membership. But the Standing Orders provide that it should consist of a chairperson and not more than 26 other members.

In the Transport Committee, over 78 members from Kenya Kwanza have expressed interest, yet the coalition has eight slots, as the total membership stands at 15.

Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wa confirmed to the House that most members have expressed interests in a few committees. Ichung’wa admitted that it will be hard for them to place members in their preferred committees due to great interest, as well as limitation of membership.

 “I was going through the first choice of members and I have seen that, for example, in the committee of Transport, 79 members want to be listed. But not all these can sit in that committee, as we (Kenya Kwanza) have just eight slots. Also, factors such as  gender and regional balance will also be considered,” he said.

Ichung’wa pleaded with lawmakers to accept the committees they will be allocated. “It will not be possible to place everybody in their first choice, but we will be able to place you either in the second or third choice. Each committee is as important as the other. And every member is free to attend the sittings of any committee; you just need to notify the chair,” he added.

Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi echoed Ichung’wa sentiments, saying the first choice of about three quarters of the members is specific to not more than 10 committees.

“On our side, we find that we have well over 100 members who have expressed interest in the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, against a placement of not more than 12. That shows how difficult the decision on who to place there, and who not to, is,” he added.

He added: “All members should come to the understanding that even if your committee is ‘X’ and you end up not being placed there, but instead in another one, you should take it in your stride, knowing your being left out is not based on lack of skills, nor lack of enough qualifications.”

 Nominated MP John Mbadi asked the leadership to ensure that at least each member gets allocated to one committee.

“It is not an easy job. I have served as Minority Leader and I know how difficult it is. We need to balance all this. My advice to these committees is to ensure that no member sits in more than one of them. If you are in PAC, forgo Budget, etc.

These sentiments came after MPs approved 21 nominees to sit in the Selection Committee, which shall nominate members for other committees.

The frontrunners

So far, Kenya Kwanza  has fronted Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro as chairman of Budget and Appropriation Committee, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa as chair of Transport and Infrastructure, Kimani Kuria (Molo) as Finance chair, and Nelson Koech (Belgut) as  Defence and Foreign Affairs chairman.

Others are Julius Meli (Tinderet), who will spearhead the Education Committee, Robert Pukose (Endebes) who will chair the Health committee, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki (Water Committee) and Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Agriculture).

Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya) will chair Labour and Social Welfare, Haika Mzighi (Taita Taveta Woman Rep) the Immigration and Diaspora Committee, Joash Omoko (North Mugirango; Lands Committee), Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West; Administration and National Security), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep; Welfare and Facilities), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi; Justice and Legal Affairs) and Dan Wanyama (Webuye West MP; Sports Committee).