Political divide is rule of thumb in both Houses

By VITALIS KIMUTAI

Political differences between the Jubilee and CORD coalitions have marred debates in the National Assembly, with the ruling coalition resorting to its numerical strength to contain the Opposition.

And the conflict between the Senate and the National Assembly, which is the subject of a Supreme Court case, presents challenge to the Jubilee Administration.

The only thing that united the MPs since they were sworn-in four months ago was the debate touching on their welfare resulting in the long running spat with the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC) chaired by Sarah Serem.

The push for the salary increment also saw ugly demonstrations by members of the civil society opposed to initiative by the MPs to increase their salaries from Sh520,000 to Sh850,000. Shouting matches and name calling have also become the order of the day during parliamentary debates with the drama being witnessed by voters across the country following the scenes relayed live on national television. Children from primary and secondary schools visiting Parliament have also been treated to the drama as they follow the proceedings from the public gallery in the chamber.

Some controversial decisions made by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi seen to favour the Jubilee side have only helped stock the embers of the tussle among the MPs. Jubilee used the tyranny of their numbers to edge out former Speaker Kenneth Marende from the coveted Speaker’s post in the National Assembly after the March 4 General Election.

Uhuru’s efforts

Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui claimed that CORD had taken a militant stand on issues that required sobriety, adding that the move was informed by attempts to frustrate efforts by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to implement the Jubilee manifesto. “What they have failed to understand until now is that the Executive no longer sit in Parliament,” Kiptanui said. Debates on the Appropriation Bill (since assented to an Act of Parliament by the President), appointments of Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Solicitor General the Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill seeking to tax some basic items which had been zero-rated, and the ejection of journalists from the media centre are some of the latest battlefronts the MPs have been engaged in.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has twice hosted MPs from the Jubilee Coalition at State House following concerns that the CORD team was working round the clock to frustrate Bills sponsored by the Government, seeking to implement some policies that voters had been promised during the campaign trail.

“Of concern to the President was VAT Bill, which had received a lot of opposition from the public and various stakeholders and the strike by teachers over failure by the Government to pay salary increment and harmonise allowances with those of the civil servants,” a Jubilee MP said. The strike, the negative publicity some of the nominees for the Cabinet secretaries and Principal secretaries positions with issues relating to their integrity being raised are some of the matters the President is said to have been concerned about when he summoned the MPs to State House, which he has made his working station.

Separate attempts by the Deputy Leader of the minority Mr Jakoyo Midiwo and Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui to amend the Appropriation Bill, reallocate money to pay the striking teachers which, however, were defeated on the floor of the House following an acrimonious debate, is said to have been one of the reasons the President invited the MPs for lunch and implored upon them to maintain unity.

Mr Aden Duale, the Leader of the Majority at the National Assembly has accused the CORD Coalition of opposing anything that has been sponsored or proposed by the Jubilee Coalition. “We ceded ground by allowing CORD to chair Public Investment Committee (PIC) and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the spirit to ensure there is increased transparency and accountability in the way the government does business,” Duale said.

Attempts by CORD to have majority membership in the two committees were, however, shot down by Jubilee. Ugunja MP James Opiyo said the push for implementation of the VAT Bill was a clear indication of a Government going against the public wish and that exempting flour and bread from taxation was ‘laughable.’

“Honeymoon for Jubilee is over and it is time they stopped looking at us as the opposition as they go ahead to block any move we make despite the good intentions from CORD,” Opiyo said. Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa faults Jubilee for allegedly rolling back the gains made in the democratic front by the last Parliament.

“Look at the kicking out of the media from Parliament for example. Why is it that the Speaker and the Clerk to the National Assembly have not been able to resolve the row over the media centre? In my view, they do not want to open up Parliament to public scrutiny,” Wamalwa said