Aden Duale names Wiper's Ben Momanyi, 4 others as PSC nominees

Majority Leader Aden Duale has named Wiper MP Ben Momanyi and Jubilee members Naomi Shaaban, Adan Keynan, Aaron Cheruiyot and Beth Mugo as nominees to the Parliamentary Service Commission. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Opposition has been struggling with how to balance its nominations given the interests at play and the need to satisfy its four parties.
  • Jubilee MPs are also reported to be keen to do away with Ms Wanga, Ms Jumwa and Mr Khaniri as political revenge.

The National Super Alliance (Nasa) was last evening handed the politically risky and difficult task of choosing who to drop from their list of nominees to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) after Wiper party’s nominee was accepted.

Speaker Justin Muturi effectively ended debate on the nomination of Borabu MP Ben Momanyi when he declared that he had been correctly nominated to take the seat in PSC that his party is constitutionally entitled to.

Mr Muturi said that the House Business Committee had agreed with Minority Leader John Mbadi, Minority Whip Junet Mohammed and Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu (Wiper) that the Opposition consults and name their three nominees by Wednesday morning.

“I confirm that the names that I have received from Jubilee are what was read out and the name provided by Wiper is that of Ben Momanyi,” Mr Muturi said.

APPROVE
He said the letter nominating Mr Momanyi had been written by Wiper chairman Kivutha Kibwana and secretary-general Judith Sijeny.

“The Leader of Majority has not nominated Hon Momanyi or names presented from his party. The names will be before the House and it will be the House that decides what will happen to them,” he added.

The Speaker also allowed a request by Mr Mbadi and Mr Mohamed to have the names submitted on Tuesday next week after a meeting on Thursday of the National Executive Committee and Friday of the National Governing Council of the Orange Democratic Movement.

The duo sought Mr Muturi’s intervention hours after Leader of Majority Aden Duale gave the House notice of Thursday’s motion to debate and approve the nomination of Jubilee Party MPs: Adan Keynan (Eldas), Beth Mugo (Nominated), Dr Naomi Shaaban (Taveta), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Mr Momanyi.

BALANCING
By allowing Mr Momanyi’s nomination to occupy the slot reserved for Wiper, Mr Muturi handed Nasa the task of deciding who to let go.

Its nominees were: George Khaniri (Vihiga Senator, ANC), Aisha Jumwa (Malindi, ODM) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay Woman Rep, ODM).

There was a proposal to have Mr Khaniri replaced by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior of Wiper but, with Wiper’s slot taken, it would mean Mr Khaniri is back in consideration.

The Opposition has been struggling with how to balance its nominations given the interests at play and the need to satisfy its four parties.

Jubilee MPs are also reported to be keen to do away with Ms Wanga, Ms Jumwa and Mr Khaniri as political revenge.

In Jubilee, there have also been reports of discontent with Mr Keynan and Mrs Mugo, who have served in the PSC before.