House team to boot out Namwamba

By Alex Ndegwa

A plot to oust Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba as the chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs committee has been hatched.

Eight MPs have signed a petition giving three days notice for the removal of the chairman, citing Standing Orders 175, which permits a vote of no confidence against the leadership of a committee by a majority of members.

This action appears to be a backlash, coming after the public falling out in the committee over the investigation into the disputed nominations to three Judiciary offices, which the President withdrew on Tuesday.

The verdict by the majority of the 11-member committee was that the President’s nominations were within the Constitution, but Namwamba, backed by fellow ODM lawmakers Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West) and Millie Odhiambo (nominated), dissented.

The letter dated February 21 is addressed to Namwamba, and copied to the Clerk of the National Assembly, whose office stamped it received on February 22.

The committee is due to meet on Tuesday to execute the coup. However members are still tightlipped about his preferred successor.

Among those who have signed the notice are: Githunguri MP Njoroge Baiya, who is the vice chairperson, Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu, ODM), George Nyamweya (nominated, PNU), Abdikadir Mohammed (Mandera Central, PNU), Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka, PNU), Amina Abdalla (nominated, Kanu) and two others.