Mutula Kilonzo loses plum job
The reorganisation is set to cause major changes in both National and Senate assemblies.
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Mr Kilonzo’s job, which has numerous allowances and other accolades, will now be taken by Vihiga Senator George Khaniri. He (Kilonzo), however, will take up a new role in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), after a push and pull over its composition.
The final decision to award the Musalia Mudavadi led Amanai National Congress (ANC) Senate Minority Whip position, according to sources, was a scheme by Wiper to grab a new role at the powerful PSC, and as such, would rather relinquish a position, previously reserved for ODM.
In common practice, the Senate Minority Whip position would be slotted for the largest party on the coalition, in this case being the Orange Democratic Movement.
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ODM, however, gave out the seat to Musyoka’s Wiper in anticipation to muzzle lucrative positions in powerful committees such as Public Accounts Committee and other oversight committees.
Higher pay
In essence, both the majority and minority whips in both National and Senate Assemblies, would be entitled to higher pay as compared to the other lawmakers, official cars and they have more political clout as they act like their party’s spokespersons in the House.
Equally, the PSC commissioners are entitled to many privileges, including a Sh40,000 sitting allowance, official cars and have huge say in procurement and recruitment of parliamentary staff.
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Raila Odinga led ODM, on the other hand, opted to retain MPs Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay and Aisha Jumwa of Malindi in the PSC. Locked out is vocal Borabu MP Ben Momanyi who had been recommended by Wiper for the PSC slot.
Meanwhile, Mr Odinga has convened an urgent ODM National Executive Committee meeting on Friday this week that will be followed by a bigger convention of the National Governing Council. many changes are set to be communicated in the twin meetings, a source has revealed.
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