ODM rebels opposed to the broad-based government were on Tuesday removed powerful committees in the National Assembly to less lucrative ones.
This came as the government-leaning team of the party moved in to crack the whip.
For instance, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi was ejected from the powerful Constitution Implementation and Oversight Committee, with his position in the committee taken by the latter-day convert of the broad-based government, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.
The changes were bound to happen, as the ODM wing in the broad-based political arrangement drew the first blood.
Omondi, who was recently declared the secretary general of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, was kicked out of his plum Constitution Implementation and Oversight Committee where he served as chairperson.
Other ODM members affected in the latest purge include Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who was moved from the Agriculture Committee to the less lucrative Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities.
Ruth, who is the sister of the former ODM party leader, the late Raila Odinga, has been a key critic of the broad-based government, coming out guns blazing in support of the embattled SG Edwin Sifuna.
Others affected in the house “fumigation” exercise include Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi, who was removed from the powerful Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education and replaced by a greenhorn, Kasipul MP Boyd Were. The leaders said that was just the beginning.
“I am serving a warning. Anyone who will not adhere to party position will relinquish their committee positions to lesser ones, so that they know that it is parties which reward people to positions,” Junet noted.
Several allies of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were also affected in the changes, with Naivasha legislator Jayne Kihara moved to the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities.
The house leaders sent a statement that dissidents will not be spared.
“I wish I go back as a whip, I used to be dangerous. Those people playing with the party, ningenyoa hao bila maji,” stated Junet Mohammed, Minority Leader, National Assembly.
“Caroli Omondi went on national TV and threatened this house that we wanted to remove him. I have no interest in ODM,” stated Kimani Ichung’wah, majority leader, National Assembly.
However, it was a happy day for the MPs who came back to UDA, as they were reinstated to lucrative committees from those considered punishment dockets.
They include Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who was moved back to the Constitution Implementation Committee (CIOC) from the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities.
Marakwet MP Timothy Kipchumba was also moved to the Justice Legal Affairs Committee from the Members’ Services and Facilities Committee.
Juja MP George Koimburi, who recently ditched Gachagua, was also handed two equally powerful dockets. More changes are expected at the Senate.
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