Parliament purge: Gachagua allies demoted, Ndindi Nyoro loses budget committee chairmanship

Published By The Statesman For The Statesman Digital
5 hours ago

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has been kicked out as the chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

However, the lawmaker remains a member of the committee until the members meet in seven days to elect their new chairpersons.

While moving the motion for the lawmakers' removal on Wednesday, South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro stated that over 90 MPs expressed interest in joining the committee and supported the reconstitution of the committees.

“Over 90 members showed interest in being members of the budget and appropriations committee, which was not very easy. 90, yet the provision of standing orders only provides for 27. The only way one can balance such is through coming up with a formula, and that formula is regional issues, the question of gender, the question of political affiliation, and negotiations," Osoro stated.

Wamuchomba

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba during a Women's Power and Change Conference in Nairobi on September 6,2024. Gathoni Wamuchomba

"That is why we urge this house to support this list as it is. But even as we move forward, there has also been a lot of politics as far as the formation is concerned…. The members that have been selected upon being passed will sit down within seven days and elect their own chairpersons."

Ultimately, the 27 who were chosen included Robert Pukose, Mathias Nyamabe Robi, John Chikati Murumba, John Njuguna Wanjiku, John Paul Mwirigi, Mwengi Mutuse, Samwel Moroto Chumel, Joseph Lekuton, David Ouma Ochieng, Florence Jematiah Sergon, Nyakundi Japheth Mokaya, Michael Mwangi Muchira, Ole Ntutu Kitilai, and Jane Wangechi Kagiri.

Others were Ali Wario Guyo, Wangaya Christopher Aseka, Adan Wehliye Keynan, Atandi Samuel Onunga, Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, Gogo Lilian Achieng, Ongili Babu Owino Paul, Mulu Makali Benson, Mwakuwona Danson Mwashako, Lesuuda Josephine Naisula, Masara Peter Francis, and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi.

Nyoro was not the only member who lost his seat as several well-known allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also lost their leadership status.

Most notably, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was removed as chairperson of the Constitutional Oversight and Implementation Committee and reassigned to the Members Services Committee, a less influential role.

Other Gachagua allies who faced the axe were; Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, and Kajiado North Onesmus Ngogoyo.

This development comes just a few weeks after their Senate counterparts faced a similar fate when notable Gachagua allies like Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa and his Nyandarua counterpart John Methu lost their committee spots.

Thang'wa was unseated as Chairperson of the Roads and Transport Committee while Methu was removed as a member of the County Public Accounts Committee, a move they both blamed on their alignment with the former DP.