How Nasa gains from Gladys Wanga's ejection from PSC list

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga addresses ODM supporters at Jomo Kenyatta Sportsground in Kisumu Town on July 19, 2017. She was left out of the Parliamentary Service Commission by her party. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mbadi explained that while ODM is entitled to two slots in the PSC, it decided to donate one slot to ANC in the spirit of coalition unity.
  • Jubilee had, on its part, settled on senators Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Beth Mugo (nominated), Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Taveta MP Naomi Shaaban.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was forced to drop Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga from the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) in order not to fall for a Jubilee Party trap to split the opposition.

This was after the Jubilee used its numerical strength in the National Assembly to ensure that Wiper’s Borabu MP Ben Momanyi took one of the opposition’s slots in the PSC, forcing Nasa affiliate parties to sacrifice one slot.

The Nasa had initially provided the names of Ms Wanga, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri and Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa.

Realising that it could neither drop Mr Khaniri nor Ms Jumwa without antagonising the Amani National Congress (ANC) and the Coast region respectively, the Nasa leadership in the National Assembly opted to sacrifice Ms Wanga.

JUBILEE MAJORITY
Although other Nasa affiliate parties protested the move to force Mr Momanyi into the commission, accusing the Wiper party and its leader Kalonzo Musyoka of working with Jubilee to rock the coalition, Wiper maintained that it is rightfully entitled to a slot in the PSC.

A ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi on Wednesday afternoon that Mr Momanyi was correctly nominated made Nasa to go back to the drawing board and decide who to drop between Mr Khaniri, Ms Jumwa and Ms Wanga.

Jubilee had, on its part, settled on senators Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Beth Mugo (nominated), Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Taveta MP Naomi Shaaban.

In opting to drop Ms Wanga, the opposition denied Jubilee the opportunity to divide the coalition by using its numerical strength to lock her out.

COAST SUPPORTERS
And, by picking Ms Jumwa, the opposition also sought to appease the Coast region, which had missed out on all House leadership positions despite its massive support for Nasa.

“Even though we wanted Mr Momanyi out, we were still going to have a representative from Wiper, but now we have settled on Momanyi and we will live with that decision,” Minority Leader John Mbadi said.

Mr Mbadi also explained that while ODM is entitled to two slots in the PSC, it decided to donate one slot to ANC in the spirit of coalition unity.

“As the big brother due to our numerical strength, we have given one slot to our brothers in ANC,” Mr Mbadi said.

Jubilee, through Leader of Majority Aden Duale, had vowed to use its tyranny of numbers to vote out Ms Wanga on grounds that she has been disrespectful to the President.

OPPOSITION
Jubilee, however, resolved to back Ms Jumwa who has equally been vocal in criticising the Jubilee administration because of gender imbalance.

There were also fears from Jubilee that Ms Wanga could carry party interests to a commission that is supposed to take care of the welfare of members from across the political divide.

Mr Momanyi, who was controversially appointed to the commission, said it is sad that even members from his own coalition were fighting him instead of supporting his bid.

“I saw some members from Nasa fighting me but I want to thank my party leader who stood by me,” Mr Momanyi said.

He denied having any links with Jubilee, saying he was not aware that the ruling party was supporting his bid.

MUGO AND KEYNAN
National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali said Jubilee had a problem with Nasa nominees because they are “extremists” who have used unsavoury language against President Uhuru Kenyatta in political rallies.

“I really sympathise with my colleagues in the Nasa coalition. What you should know is that affiliate parties in the opposition want something they can identify with; it is about the interests of individual parties not coalition,” Mr Washiali said.

In Jubilee, there were also reports of silent discontent with Mr Keynan and Mrs Mugo who have served in the commission before.

Just before the nine were approved, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo sought an interpretation of the law on whether MPs who had served in the commission previously were eligible.

“My concern is that re-electing those who served in the outgoing commission will be a violation of the Constitution which, in Article 250, explains that one can only serve for one term of five years,” he said.

The Speaker, however, explained that PSC cannot be compared to other commissions, saying there were exceptions as the life of Parliament is only five years.

“The Judicial Service Commission has 11 commissioners, while the same law demands that the number does not exceed nine,” Mr Muturi explained.

The PSC positions are coveted because they come with influence on employment in Parliament, oversight over a large budget, Sh40,000 allowances per sitting, travel abroad, a vehicle, a spacious office and staff.