By Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ally Jamleck Kamau beat Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi to chair the crucial parliamentary committee on Energy, Information and Communication.

Kamau, the Kigumo legislator, garnered 13 votes to Linturi’s 10, in an election that saw only Jubilee fielding candidates.  

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui (TNA) trounced Karachuonyo’s James Rege by 19 to four votes to become the committee vice-chairman. 

Monday’s elections also saw former Standard Group journalist Ayub Savula (UDF) become the chairman of the Agriculture Committee after he was elected unopposed.

The Lugari legislator will be deputised by Maara’s Kareke Mbiuki (TNA).

Starehe MP Maina Kamanda was elected chair of Transport committee and he will be deputised by Mandera West’s Mahmoud Mohamed of URP.

The polls, which were held in Parliament Buildings, once again, saw Jubilee unleashing its tyranny of numbers after it captured almost all the positions on offer. Jubilee is set to control all the committees save for the Public Accounts Committee and Public Investments Committee, whose elections will be held this morning. CORD MPs Ababu Namwamba, John Mbadi, Manson Nyamweya and Omondi Anyanga having been mentioned as some of the contenders for chair of PAC.

Hard to compete

Leader of Majority Aden Duale said Jubilee was determined to run away with all the committees even as CORD appeared to have resigned to fate. “So far we have won all the 14 committees that have had elections and the trend will continue to the last committee.”

Minority Leader Francis Nyenze said CORD had to accept playing their role in the committee through membership as it was hard to defeat Jubilee, with CORD Chief Whip Gideon Mungaro saying CORD will only field candidates where Jubilee has two or more.

Murang’a County Woman Representative Sabina Chege (TNA) was elected chair of Education committee with Melly Kibiwott (URP) as the vice-chair. Narc’s Rachael Nyamai will chair the Health committee, while Endebess’ Robert Pokose (URP) is vice.

Newcomer Ndung’u Githinji (Tetu, TNA) and Fafi’s Barre Shill of URP were elected unopposed as chair and vice chair of the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee.