Headache for Jubilee and Nasa, as 34 ex-MPs seek EALA posts

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses East African Legislative Assembly members and Speaker Daniel Kidega at Parliament in Nairobi on October 14, 2015. [File, Standard]

The panel seeking to fill Kenya’s nine slots at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is facing a grueling task of knocking off more than 30 former MPs from a pool of 208 applicants.

Of the 208 applicants, 34 are former MPs, signaling the high stakes in the race to fill the posts in the assembly.

Out of the 34 former lawmakers, 24 are aligned to the ruling Jubilee Party, while seven have applied to be considered as EALA MPs through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The rest are independent.

The party led by President Uhuru Kenyatta is entitled to five slots in the assembly, while ODM has three slots. Wiper Democratic Movement is entitled to one slot.

Former MPs affiliated to Jubilee and who have applied include Moses ole Sakuda (Kajiado West), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Nelson Gaichuhie (Subikia), Hellen Sambili (Mogotio), Adan Nooru (Mandera North) and Zipporah Kering (Nandi Woman Rep).

Others are Simon Mbugua (Kamukunji), Danson Mungatana (Garsen), Kalembe Ndile (Kibwezi) and Omingo Magara (South Mugirango).

Oburu Oginga, a former nominated MP and elder brother to National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga is among the notable ex-legislators who have expressed interest through ODM. Others are Thomas Mwadeghu (Wundayi), Fatuma Ali (Wajir County) Dorcas Kedogo (Kakamega County) and Ochieng Mbeo (Mathare).

Four applicants – Joseph Kiangoi, Nancy Abisai, Mumbi Ngaru and Abubakar Zein – are former EALA lawmakers.

Other individuals in the race are former Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) chairman Charles Nyachae, former Defense Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo, former National Assembly Clerk Justin Bundi, former Embu County Assembly Speaker Karuiki Mate and journalist George Munji.

Final decision

Other notable names from the Opposition include Nasa Chief Executive Officer Norman Magaya, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s son Kennedy Musyoka, Silas Jakakimba, a former Raila aide, and the late JM Karuiki’s daughter Rosemary Kariuki.

Fifteen applicants are eyeing the slots through other parties such as Kanu, Party of National Unity (PNU), Democratic Party (DP) and Economic Freedom Party (EFP). About 23 have applied as independents.

Yesterday, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said the decision on who makes it to the final list of Jubilee will be made by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. “Our party leader and his deputy will hold consultations to determine the list of our five candidates. And as a party, our list must have the face of Kenya by having ethnic, regional and gender diversity,” said Duale, adding that independents will have one slot.

ODM chairman John Mbadi said nothing had changed from the last Parliament in terms of parties’ strength and dismissed Duale’s inclusion of independent MPs.

“We do not have an independent party. Currently, Jubilee is even including affiliate parties that it has not signed instruments of operations with unlike we have done in Nasa,” said the National Assembly Minority Leader.

Article 50 of the EAC Treaty requires that partner states send nominees who represent various political parties in the National Assembly, shades of opinion, gender and other special interest groups.

EALA is facing a similar row in South Sudan, whose nominees have been challenged at the East African Court of Justice. Kenya sent an apology for the delay and promised to submit its list by December 13.