Raila, Ruto top guns jostle for plum House jobs

Top allies of Azimio presidential contender Raila Odinga and UDA flagbearer William Ruto are lobbying furiously for key parliamentary posts, the Star has established.

Four weeks to the highly contested polls on August 9, political manoeuvring to occupy top slots in the august House have begun in earnest.

The lucrative jobs, including House speakers, majority and minority leaders and whips come with superior perks, enhanced security and political clout.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, for instance, is the third highest-ranking government official. He or she assumes the presidency for 60 days in the event both the president and deputy president are absent.

In Azimio, a behemoth coalition with 29 political parties, they are striving to strike a balance between the major players — Jubilee and ODM — while also taking care of fringe parties.

Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni disclosed there was intense lobbying by parties for the top leadership positions in Parliament.

Kioni said, however, that since the advent of the 2010 Constitution, the positions would make more sense if the law were changed to make them part of the Executive.

“We must create room in the Executive for those holding House positions. For instance, as secretary general of a party, you cannot work so hard and end up with no role to play in delivering the government’s agenda,” Kioni said.

Political parties in DP Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza are also angling for plum leadership positions.

“The real lobbying will start after the elections but for now, some of us may not be competent enough to speak on this. We leave that to our leaders to decide,” Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said.

Washiali said some Kenya Kwanza members have been promised positions “but the dynamics are changing.

“Some of the members who will not make it to Parliament, for example, may not get the [leadership] positions. In that case, others will be elevated,” he said.

The speaker’s position in the Senate has already been dished out in the two camps.

Raila has promised it to former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, who is a member of DAP-Kenya.

Kenya Kwanza has pledged to give the job to Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.

Fresh details indicate, however, the Kingi deal is not concrete.

Some insiders said DP Ruto was considering outgoing National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi for the position, owing to his experience.

“It is not yet done. I knew it would be Kingi but things are changing very fast,” a top Ford Kenya member told the Star.

Sources also indicate ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio (Kanu) or Kilifi’s Stewart Madzayo (ODM) could be considered for either majority or minority leader, depending on the outcome of the election on August 9.

However, loyalty, contribution to their coalitions’ success and the strength of the affiliate parties would be factors in deciding who gets what.

On the UDA side, outspoken Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen is seen to have an edge as Senate majority leader, having held that position before.

Murkomen was kicked out at the height of the bitter fall out between the President and his deputy, Ruto.

Also identified for plum positions in the Senate are former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, if they win.

In the National Assembly, the speaker’s position is not yet decided although insiders indicate President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party would front a name.

DAP-K is also staking claim to the majority leader’s job although some say it should be reserved for the ‘president’s party’, should Raila win.

From the experience of the 12th Parliament, where key Ruto allies were kicked out over loyalty concerns, the Raila team is said to be more careful in making their choices.

For majority leader, the names featuring in ongoing talks include MPs Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Amos Kimunya (Kipipiri).

Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and his Kanduyi counterpart Wafula Wamunyinyi are also emerging as some of the favourites.

Simiyu and Wamunyinyi are the secretary general and party leader, respectively, of DAP-Kenya, ostensibly  formed to checkmate ANC and Ford Kenya in Western.

Also floated by the Azimio side as potentials are Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Adan Keynan (Eldas MP), Naomi Shaban (Taveta MP) and Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North).

When contacted for comment, Keynan said the talk is premature.

“Let us discuss the positions when we reach there. Inshallah! Our desire now is to have an absolute majority in the thirteenth Parliament — both the Senate and National Assembly. As to who would be the leaders, let us discuss when we get there,” Keynan said.

Wandayi said, “Such discussions are premature as we have an election to win. But as a disciplined and loyal member of the Azimio movement, I am always willing and ready to serve it in any capacity.”

Outgoing Majority leader Amos Kimunya said all efforts now are geared towards getting elected into the 13th Parliament, and the posts will follow based on party strength.

In the National Assembly, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula would land the speaker’s position or his party would front the name of the person for the seat.

Should the UDA side win the election, it is said Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah could also be considered for a major role.

The MP is being discussed as a potential for Budget Committee chairman or House majority leader.

However, if they lose, Garissa Town MP Aden Duale and Ichung’wah are tipped to take up the watchdog Public Accounts (PAC) and Public Investments (PIC) committees chairmanships,  respectively.

The House majority leader has an upper hand in making day-to-day decisions on what business goes to the floor of the House for consideration by members.

Besides the speakers and majority-minority leadership positions, some of the influential committee chairs the parties are seeking to fill are Budget, Security, Finance, Transport, Health and Agriculture.

They are also battling for Public Investment and Public Accounts committees in the National Assembly, which by tradition, are headed by the minority party or coalition.

In the Senate, County Public Accounts Committee, Devolution, Finance and Security are some of the most lucrative committees.    BY THE STAR