By NJERI RUGENE nrugene@ke.nationmedia.com AND ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, April 15 2013 at 23:30
A plan for former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka to return to Parliament as Minority Leader hit a hitch on Monday evening after the MP identified to step down for him rejected the deal.
Cord senators and MPs came up with the plan during a retreat in Naivasha ahead of Tuesday's address to Parliament by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu was identified as the one to step down for Mr Musyoka to pave the way for his return to lead the opposition in Parliament.
Mr Mutambu shot out of the meeting to protest against the move to have him vacate his seat. “I will not accept this. They are asking for too much. No I will not allow this to happen,” he said.
The coalition picked a committee of five, led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, to plan Mr Musyoka’s return to Parliament.
Members of the committee include Senators David Musila (Kitui), Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya) and Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini).
Later, Mr Mutambo denied reports that he had agreed to step down in favour of the Wiper leader.
Later, Mr Mutambo denied reports that he had agreed to step down in favour of the Wiper leader.
“I have not been approached nor have I been asked to step down. I was voted in by the people of Mwingi Central and I have to consult them before making any political move,” he said.
But Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze said the matter would be deliberated on further on Tuesday at a Wiper Democratic Party Parliamentary Group meeting.
At the end of the meeting last evening, Cord MPs decided that Mr Nyenze would hold brief for Mr Musyoka pending plans to have him re-elected.
“Before Mr Musyoka joins the National Assembly, Mr Francis Nyenze will act as the minority leader,” a statement read by Mr Dalmas Otieno said.
Mr Wetang’ula was picked as Leader of Minority in the Senate as previously agreed.
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo was chosen as the Deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly.
Senate whip
Mr Muthama was elected the Cord Senate whip while Malindi MP Gideon Mung’aro was picked as the coalition’s National Assembly Chief Whip.
At the meeting, Wajir Senator Hassan Abdurrahman was picked as the deputy Leader of the Minority in the Senate.
Former prime minister Raila Odinga — who attended the meeting — said he would play his politics from outside the two Houses.
On the government side, President Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, held two separate meetings at State House with Jubilee Coalition MPs and senators to discuss the government agenda.
The Jubilee senators elected Prof Kindiki Kithure (Tharaka-Nithi) as Leader of the Majority in the Senate and Mr Charles Keter (Kericho) as Deputy Leader.Jubilee also lived up to its pledge and allocated some of the prime seats in both Houses to its affiliate members who signed a post-election agreement with the ruling coalition.
In the Senate, Ms Beatrice Elachi, a nominated senator and secretary-general of Mr Kiraitu Murungi’s Alliance Party of Kenya, will be the Chief Whip. Nairobi Senator and the former Makadara MP Mike Mbuvi (Sonko) will deputise her.
Mr Aden Duale (Garissa MP) was endorsed as Majority Leader in the National Assembly with Dr Naomi Shabaan (Taveta MP) as the Deputy Majority Leader.
Mr Katoo ole Metito (Kajiado South MP) was endorsed as the Majority Whip.Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali was endorsed as the deputy Chief Whip.
President Kenyatta emphasized the need for all Jubilee MPs and senators to work together in delivering the government’s pledges to Kenyans.He said wananchi had high expectations on the senators as they would be responsible for overseeing and providing leadership to the implementation of devolution.
Saying devolution would play a big role in the success of the government, President Kenyatta added that he looked forward to working with senators across the board in rolling out devolution and harmonising issues arising between the two levels of government.
He urged senators to work together passing Bills that would enable the Jubilee Coalition deliver on its pledges in the shortest time possible.
Deputy President Ruto underscored the need for the Jubilee members of Parliament to form a focused team that would steer the government agenda in Parliament.
He reassured the MPs that he and the President would support them in implementing development projects in their constituencies.
Additional reporting by Macharia Mwangi
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