Members of Parliament from the two political divides; Jubilee and NASA are bribing each other in order to get the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) slots.
The 9 slots have attracted more than 20 candidates across the divide. Last week Jubilee submitted a list of 15 and NASA, 11 candidates.
Bagging the posts requires lobbying with earlier reports indicating that former nominated MP, Oburu Odinga met with Jubilee’s Aden Duale who had cautioned the opposition against submitting names of ‘brothers, sisters, girlfriends, and relatives.
Oburu, NASA leader Raila Odinga’s brother, said it was important to reach out to ‘everybody’ as vetting draws closer.
It is also said that the legislators are fighting to get a seat in the ‘powerful committees.’ The Standard reports that at least 40 MPs from NASA are eyeing the National Assembly Transport Committee that can only have 20 members.
Other ‘lucrative’ committees are; Defense and Foreign Relations, Energy and Communication, Public Accounts Committee and Public Investment Committee.
But the house on Thursday increased the number of committees from 29 to 32 and their membership as well.
Moving the proposals was Ruaraka MP, Tom Kajwang’ who said: ”This is a big cake for all of us so that we can serve the legislative role in this House. We don’t want members just to make money out of allowances, but be resourceful in those respective committees.”
The committee on selection will also ensure that MPs sit in two committees.
The five committees have attracted an immense number of members but according to Leader of minority, John Mbadi, the members only want to serve the people and not their personal interests.
”Members’ work in the committees is to make a difference. Understand the mandate which I believe is to influence development and not personal interest,” the Suba MP said.
Interestingly, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee has attracted two members from the opposition who do not qualify due to their professional background.
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”The placement takes consideration of profession, regional and gender balance and party interest,” Mbadi added.
The Jubilee party is also being faced with the same problem, having the highest number of seats in the house and the need to have ‘fresh blood’ in some of the most rewarding committees.
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