NAIROBI: PARLIAMENTARY COMMITEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS TO DISCUSS NAMWAMBA'S CHAIRMANSHIP DESTINY

The parliamentary Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs is meeting with the Clerk of the National Assembly Today  as seven members attempt to remove chairman Ababu Namwamba.It is alleged that ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo is attending the meeting with MPs Dr Joyce Laboso, Rachel Shebesh and Charles Onyancha.
The four are not members of the committee but Parliament’s Standing Orders allow MPs to attend the meetings of any committee, but one cannot vote if he is not a member.

It is understood Mr Midiwo has gone to object Mr Namwamba’s removal and wants the three to join the committee to replace two rebels and reclaim a slot ODM reportedly “donated” to their PNU rivals.The MPs led by vice chairman Njoroge Baiya had asked House clerk Mr Patrick Gichohi to convene the meeting, which he is required to do as provided by the Standing Orders, to enable them pass a vote of no-confidence in the Budalnag’i MP.

The MPs, drawn mainly from PNU and allies in the ODM, accuse Mr Namwamba of mismanaging the committee’s affairs and have drawn up eight charges.
They also accuse him of disrespecting MPs on the team and of being rude and condescending during their sessions.

On the other hand, ODM has begun a process intended to remove three of its rebel MPs in the team and have them replaced with loyalists.Those marked on the list for removal by party whip Jakoyo Midiwo are Isaac Ruto and Sophia Abdi.Mr Namwamba is supported by his ODM colleagues Olago Aluoch and Millie Odhiambo.

Interestingly, Mr Ruto has been proposed as the new chairman of the committee if the group succeeds in ousting Mr Namwamba.The letter asking the clerk to convene the meeting was signed by Mr Baiya, Ms Amina Abdalla, Mr Eugene Wamalwa, Mr George Nyamweya, Mr Ruto, Rev Mutava Musyimi, Prof Philip Kaloki and Ms Abdi.
The fate of the Budalang'i Member of Parliament as the chair of the commitee is therefore a subject of debate this afternoon.

Kelvin Mwangi,
Nairobi.