Stop bickering over list, Ruto tells legislators

By Vincent Mabatuk and Athman Amran

Higher Education Minister William Ruto has urged MPs to stop fighting over the control of the committee charged with implementation of the new Constitution.

The minister said debate on who will sit in the committee is uncalled for.

Speaking in Eldama Ravine on Friday, Ruto said Kenyans voted for the new laws and implementation should not be delayed because of misunderstanding on who should occupy the seats.

During the function, nominated MP Musa Sirma, who has been vocal in criticising Ruto’s presidential ambition, surprised residents after he promised to support the minister for the top office.

“Your ambitions to run for the highest office started here in Eldama Ravine and I promise to support you my brother,” said Sirma.

Sirma hosted Ruto in 2007 when he was the MP for Eldama Ravine where Ruto’s ambition for president was launched before the two parted ways.

MPs Charles Keter (Belgut), Luka Kigen (Rongai), Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito), and Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South) accompanied the minister.

The MPs spoke during a fundraising in aid of women groups in Koibatek District.

Gender insensitive

Keter said there was no need for wrangling since only 27 of 222 MPs could be nominated to the committee.

Separately, Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti protested her exclusion from the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Implementation of the new Constitution, saying the decision was unfair and gender insensitive.

She said since MPs from small parties within PNU were allocated only three slots they should not have all gone to men.

She argued that because Mandera MP Mohamed Abdikadir was endorsed by PNU and ODM, Kinangop MP David Ngugi should have opted out.

“I want to challenge Ngugi, who is the chairman of the small political parties, to swallow his pride and relinquish his post to either myself or Linah Kilimo,” said Ndeti during a press conference at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.

She warned that the list could face hurdles in Parliament if it is tabled the way it is.

The decision to remove her from the list was made during a meeting of PNU affiliates at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, on Friday.

The MP said she did not attend because she was informed that the meeting would be at 2pm.