By Moses Njagih
Nairobi, Kenya: The Senate approved members of the Rules and Business Committee – the body expected to draw the programme of the house - amid complaints from some members that the list failed in representation.
There was uproar in the house on the first independent sitting of the Senate on Wednesday as some Senators faulted the composition of the list tabled by the Leader of Majority Tharaka Nithi Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki, saying it did not include representatives of some groups and failed in ensuring regional balance.
The 12-member committee, chaired by the Speaker, is the most powerful body that sets the agenda of the House.
Tabling the list, Kindiki described it as a critical component of the House and urged members to approve it due to heavy legislative agenda that is in the House’s tray.
“The list may have shortcomings but we shall do things better as we move on. We need to forge unity of purpose in matters of this nature so that in future every party is involved in establishing similar committees of the House,” Kindiki said urging members to approve the list.
Among those who will sit on the committee are Kindiki, Leader of Minority Moses Wetangula, Chief Whips Beatrice Elachi (Majority) and Johnson Muthama (Minority) and Senators Beth Mugo, John Lonyangapuo, Charles Keter, Kiraitu Murungi, James Orengo, Janet Ong’era and Agnes Zani.
Immediately after Prof Kindiki tabled the list, which was seconded by Wetangula, a section of Senators poked holes in its composition, with some members warning that the success or failure of only the second Senate in Kenya’s history will depend on how the committee asserts itself.
Senators Hassan Omar, Amos Wako and Wilfred Machage expressed reservations with the composition of the list arguing that it did not reflect constitutional provisions of inclusion and regional balance.
UDF Senators Bonny Khalwale and George Khaniri supported the approval of the names, but complained that “small parties” were not included on the list.
“This list does not include any member of UDF and the party has three members in this house. The rules stipulate that a party be represented in committees if it has more than two members,” complained Khaniri, though approving the list.
Omar was the only Senator who opposed the list, arguing that it failed the test of regional and religious balance. He complained that there was no representative from northern Kenya and the Muslim community, despite the house having 12 members of the religious faith.
Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow supported Hassan and urged political parties to consider such constitutional provisions on representation in the future.
“Political parties must consult widely and ensure that ethnic, religious and gender balance is considered,” he said.
Machage accused political parties of favouring certain members and heaping “extra responsibilities” on certain members while ignoring others.
“Political parties must allow every member participate in committee work. Areas hitherto marginalised should be considered,” he said.
