Intense jostling for House team seats

Supremacy battles in Parliament have shifted to the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), with members jostling for the seven positions available.

While the decision to field candidates for PSC commissioners lies with the parties and coalitions that they support, lawmakers are intensely lobbying for support, especially from their own regions.

So heated is the fight that it has now gone personal in the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance, headed by President William Ruto, and in Azimio la Umoja coalition headed by Raila Odinga and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In Azimio, a source confirmed that the jostling has narrowed to five lawmakers. The coalition has been given three slots to share among its members, but the five are all lobbying on grounds that they not only have the backing of their principles but will also push for the interests of their colleagues.

In the ring

Those who have declared interest include John Walukhe (Sirisia) Adan Keynan (Eldas) and Mishi Mboko (Likoni) in the National Assembly, while in the Senate both Oburu Oginga(Kisumu) and Moses  Kajwang (Homa Bay) have also expressed interest in the seat.

While Jubilee Party seems to be backing Keynan, MPs from Western region are said to be vouching for Walukhe.

Among the MPs from Western Kenya whom Walukhe say support his bid are Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), the secretary of the caucus, Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Patrick Simiyu (Cherangany), Maurice Kakai (Kiminini) and Jack Wamboka (Bumula).

“I am in this race till the end and I will not back down for anybody. I am qualified to be a PSC commissioner. As of now, I am lobbying across the board,” Walukhe said.

Rigathi meeting

Kenya Kwanza is yet to give its list of interested members, as the MPs are awaiting the outcome of a meeting to be chaired by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The meeting will also be attended by the party’s leadership in Parliament.

“The DP has been mandated to spearhead the process, including picking the leadership of various committees. All we were told to do was to fill forms indicating which committees one is interested in joining,” said a member.

The PSC is one of Kenya’s independent commissions, established under Article 127 of the Constitution. It ensures the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament.

The Commission is chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly and has seven members appointed by Parliament from among its members.

Of these, four are nominated by both Houses by party or coalition of parties that form the National Government, while three are nominated from both Houses by the parties not forming the national government.

The Clerk of the Senate is the substantive clerk of the commission.

In addition, the commission comprise a man and woman appointed by Parliament from among the people who are experienced in public affairs, but are not members of Parliament.

Non-members

Current non-members in the commission include Samuel Chepkonga (now Ainabkoi MP) and Rachael Ameso.

The commission is also mandated to negotiate for the members on remunerations with the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC), among other tasks.