Committee denied chance to table report

A new crisis has erupted over President Kibaki’s nominations after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee failed to table its report of findings.

And it has emerged that about eight committee members allied to the President have come up with a report endorsing the nominees.

An Assistant minister has claimed Parliament may be adjourned to derail debate on this matter.

Attempts by Committee chairman Ababu Namwamba to table the report yesterday afternoon were rejected by Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, on grounds that he had broken House regulations by not notifying the chair of the intention to present it at least two hours in advance.

"Honourable Ababu Namwamba you cannot table a report without the approval of the chair. Until a minute ago the chair was not aware of any intention to table a report," said Farah, adding "we cannot bend the rules" to accommodate the committee.

Ignoring pleas

"Under the circumstances the Speaker shall not allow the tabling of this report," declared Farah, ignoring pleas by Kisumu Town West MP, Olago Aluoch, and his Ikolomani counterpart, Bonny Khalwale.

Soon after afterwards, another committee member, Amina Abdalla, approached the Speaker with a sheaf of papers. It was not clear if she had a rival report to the official one, but she indicated that some committee members were seeking permission to present a dissenting report alongside Namwamba’s.

She wants dissenting committee members in this and future matters to be allowed to present their opposing views.

Abdalla’s unprecedented request appeared to confirm allegations that the eight committee members have rejected Namwamba’s official report.