The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has pulled its members out of the National Assembly House Business Committee, which is expected to hinder the house’s operations.
The Azimio Coalition made their statement prior to their protest walkout against Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s decision that declared Kenya Kwanza the majority party in the National Assembly.
The leaders of the Azimio Coalition, under the leadership of current Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, announced their intention to withdraw their members from committees with significant power.
Among those committees is the House Business Committee (HBC). This committee, which is vital to the National Assembly, has the responsibility of arranging and overseeing the legislative agenda.
Junet stated, “I have been asked to inform you on the House floor that we have withdrawn our members from the House Business Committee.” According to Speaker Wetang’ula and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, however, the move will not prevent the committee from carrying out its transactions.
Junet warned the House, which had started to deliberate on the makeup of the influential committee, that endorsing the Azimio members suggested for the committee amounts to ‘nullifying’.
Among those suggested for reconstitution of the committee are Robert Mbui (Kathiani), Francis Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Umul Ker Kassim Sheikh (Mandera), and Joshua Mbithi Mwalyo (Masinga), all affiliated with Azimio.
On the Kenya Kwanza side, Faith Wairimu Gitau (Women Rep of Nyandarua), Samuel K. Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), Adan Wehliye Keynan (Eldas), Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), and Sarah Paulata Korere (Laikipia).
Disregarding the caution, the House forwarded the names for joining the committee. During his speech prior to the vote, Ichung’wah stated, “The House Business Committee is properly constituted, and with or without the four members of Azimio, the House Business Committee will sit.”
Wetang’ula, for his part, launched a fierce critique of the minority side, stating, “We have a greater duty to the people of Kenya than to engage in the shenanigans we want to display here.”
The Speaker of the National Assembly, along with the Leader Majority and Minority and the Majority and Minority Whips, chairs the House Business Committee. The committee includes other members from the House, with Azimio securing four seats.
Its main duties consist of organizing house business. It organizes and plans the House’s calendar. Additionally, the committee keeps an eye on and supervises the execution of the House’s business and programs, guaranteeing that decisions are carried out as intended.
The parliamentary calendar is additionally adjusted by the committee. Once the House approves, the House Business Committee can prepared and, if needed, modify the parliamentary calendar to fit emerging priorities or changes.
