Kalonzo steers Azimio's quest for dominance in the legislature

National Assembly's Speaker Moses Wetangula during a special parliamentary sitting at Parilaiment. [Elvis Ogina,Standard] Parliament is set to resume its sittings on Tuesday after a two-month recess with a full tray waiting for Senators and Members of National Assembly. It will be interesting to see if the Azimio la Umoja Coalition take its position as the majority side after a three Judge bench ruled last week that National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula erred in declaring Kenya Kwanza Alliance as the majority. Azimio la Umoja Coalition is set to hold a parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday morning to deliberate on a common position following the court ruling. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has convened the meeting, terming the court decision a victory and faulting Azimio partners who left the coalition to join Kenya Kwanza without adhering to the constitutional process. "I have already spoken to Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, which is why I have called for this Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting. Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya is the majority party in the National Assembly, and our MPs should take their rightful position when sittings resume," Kalonzo said. Kalonzo also called for Speaker Wetangula to adhere to the court's ruling, which restored Azimio as the majority party. He said that Azimio MPs should occupy the majority side in the assembly as ordered by the High Court. The High Court ruled that Wetangula's declaration on October 6, 2022, that President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance (UDA) was the majority party, was unconstitutional. "Azimio MPs should occupy the majority side in the assembly as per the court's ruling," Kalonzo added. During a tour of Kilifi County, Kalonzo also criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration for breaking campaign promises and claimed that Kenyans were tired of empty rhetoric. He referenced the recent heckling of President Ruto as evidence of the government's lost goodwill. Kalonzo also questioned Ruto's cattle vaccination programme, accusing him of mishandling the issue in the Northeast. "He tried to vaccinate cows in the Northeast, but instead of blaming himself, he started degrading scholars in the country," he said. Ruto, during his tour of Garissa, claimed that the vaccination will proceed and that he was more educated with a PhD compared to his fellow leaders; hence, no one should question his policies. On the political front, Kalonzo's Wiper Party is also strategising to build a formidable opposition to challenge Ruto in 2027. Kalonzo's ally, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, also voiced his concerns over the government's handling of the electoral process, accusing Ruto of trying to register foreigners to influence the vote. Both Ruto and Raila are strategising to influence the leadership of 20 Senate Committees and 44 National Assembly Committees when Parliament resumes. The overhaul of committees is expected to reflect the shifting political alliances and might see the removal of allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, replacing them with Raila's allies. Speaker Wetangula, who chairs the powerful House Business Committee, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who chairs the Senate Business Committee, have significant influence over parliamentary activities. These committees determine the legislative agenda, and their reshuffling will be closely watched by both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah is the vice chairperson of the House Business Committee tasked with preparation, and if necessary from time to time, adjust the Parliamentary Calendar with approval of the House as well as monitoring and overseeing implementation of the House Business and programmes. In the Senate, Raila's allies currently hold key positions, with Moses Kajwang' chairing the County Public Accounts Committee and Godfrey Osotsi leading the County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee. It remains to be seen whether these positions will be retained or replaced as part of the reshuffling. Several Ruto allies in the Senate, such as Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, and Mandera Senator Ali Roba, are likely to face challenges in retaining their positions. Similarly, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango, all close to Gachagua, could be vulnerable. The Public Accounts Committee, traditionally chaired by the opposition, will also be a point of contention. Kajiado Senator Lenku Seki who chairs the Senate Trade Committee and Murang'a Senator Joseph Nyutu who leads the Senate Education Committee are some of the former Deputy President's allies who are also likely to find it difficult to retain their position. "We have been threatened that we will be removed from being chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees for standing with the people who elected us and for being Gachagua allies. When the people of Kiambu elected me as their Senator, they did not know that there are chairpersons in parliament, as long as I remain a Senator of Kiambu, I am okay," said Thangwa. Azimio is expected to push for control of this powerful committee as part of its strategy to solidify its position in Parliament. As the House prepares to resume, questions remain about the future of key parliamentary leaders, including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has faced criticism for his lack of clarity regarding his allegiance. The reshuffling of parliamentary committees will shape the political landscape as both the government and opposition gear up for the next election cycle. Additional reporting by Nehemiah Okwembah

Kalonzo steers Azimio's quest for dominance in the legislature

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