Azimio senators allay fears of discontent over House leadership posts

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leadership in the Senate. [File, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leadership in the Senate has come out to say that all is well in the coalition following disquiet over House leadership posts.

Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, Narok Senator Ledama Kina, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, and Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo termed the alleged crisis as a creation of the media.

Mr Madzayo said that he was the only one tasked by Azimio principals, former President Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee), ODM leader Raila Odinga, and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, to speak about coalition matters.

"As you can see I am accompanied by the Senate Deputy Minority Leader Enoch Wambua, Minority Whip Fatuma Dullo, and Deputy Minority Whip Ledama Kina who are the Azimio leadership in the Senate, nobody else is authorized to speak on behalf of Azimio in the Senate," he said.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna last week said that he was collecting signatures among Azimio senators to kick out Dullo from her position saying that she had failed to perform her duties as the Minority Whip.

Mr Sifuna claimed that the majority of Azimio senators were not happy with the manner in which Dullo had shared out committee positions where some members got several slots at the expense of others.

Madzayo who did not mention the Nairobi senator by name termed the alleged collection of signatures as neither here nor there and that it did not emanate from the Azimio leadership and was barely being pushed by people who did not wish the coalition well.

"Let me tell Kenyans that Azimio la Umoja is united and our leaders are focused on championing the well being of Kenyans, any other matter that does not come from the leadership of Azimio in the Senate which is represented here should be treated as rumours," he said.

The coalition has been facing challenges in the past week after Jubilee Party leaders demanded to be given back the Parliamentary Service Commission position that was handed to Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni yet it had initially been earmarked for Dullo.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Sirisia MP John Waluke had initially shown interest in the seat with Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni handing Waluke the party nomination letter for the PSC position while in prison.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings last week the Jubilee leaders demanded the PSC post saying ODM already had Likoni MP Mishi Mboko while Wiper Party had Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.

"We are calling on Speakers of both Houses to intervene to resolve this matter since we will want to see ODM, Wiper, and Jubilee Parties have one representative each in the Parliamentary Service Commission," said Nominated MP Sabina Chege.

Keynan said that they are in a democratic space and they were not happy about the rules of engagement and just like their partners they were entitled to PSC slots.