NASA leader Raila Odinga’s announcement that Suba MP John
Mbadi would be the coalition’s choice for the House Minority leader has caused
in the Opposition.
Odinga’s support for Mbadi was announced before the NASA
parliamentary group could meet and formally agree on the distribution of
parliamentary leadership positions.
The House Minority position was previously held by Francis
Nyenze of Wiper and some of the MPs from Kalonzo Musyoka’s party have not been
happy with the changes. Wiper will now have the House Minority Chief whip which
will be occupied by Kathiani MP Robert Mbui.
Some of Odinga’s close allies Suba East MP Junet Mohamed and
Opiyo Wandayi from Ugunja have objected the Mbadi nomination to the critical
position without due process.
The law requires that the Whip of the Minority party or
coalition communicates to the Speaker in writing the decision regarding House
leadership.
While Mbadi has already been confirmed for the position, the
speakers of both houses are yet to receive official communication from the NASA
team.
The former Prime Minister has also indicated that he would
support Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa for the lucrative position of member in the
Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), a position that was held by Homa Bay
woman representative Gladys Wanga.
The NASA presidential candidate is facing a tough balancing
act of appeasing his loyalists while at the same time ensuring all affiliate
parties in NASA get a piece of the limited positions.
Kajiado MP Elijah Memusi also has the support of Odinga as
he is the only MP elected on an ODM ticket from the Maa community.
However, the move has been received with murmurs by the
affiliate parties including ANC and Ford Kenya which want critical
representation despite their small numbers in the August House.
