Raila Latest Announcement Causes Anxiety in NASA

NASA leader Raila Odinga’s announcement that Suba MP John Mbadi would be the coalition’s choice for the House Minority leader has caused in the Opposition.

Odinga’s support for Mbadi was announced before the NASA parliamentary group could meet and formally agree on the distribution of parliamentary leadership positions.

The House Minority position was previously held by Francis Nyenze of Wiper and some of the MPs from Kalonzo Musyoka’s party have not been happy with the changes. Wiper will now have the House Minority Chief whip which will be occupied by Kathiani MP Robert Mbui.

Some of Odinga’s close allies Suba East MP Junet Mohamed and Opiyo Wandayi from Ugunja have objected the Mbadi nomination to the critical position without due process.

The law requires that the Whip of the Minority party or coalition communicates to the Speaker in writing the decision regarding House leadership.

While Mbadi has already been confirmed for the position, the speakers of both houses are yet to receive official communication from the NASA team.

The former Prime Minister has also indicated that he would support Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa for the lucrative position of member in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), a position that was held by Homa Bay woman representative Gladys Wanga.

The NASA presidential candidate is facing a tough balancing act of appeasing his loyalists while at the same time ensuring all affiliate parties in NASA get a piece of the limited positions.

Kajiado MP Elijah Memusi also has the support of Odinga as he is the only MP elected on an ODM ticket from the Maa community.

However, the move has been received with murmurs by the affiliate parties including ANC and Ford Kenya which want critical representation despite their small numbers in the August House.