It’s emerging that a looming deal between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga is underway, with Kenya Kwanza rebel MPs likely to be dismissed from key committee leadership positions.
On Monday, February 17, Ruto and Odinga settled on a deal to resolve the crisis in the National Assembly following the controversial ruling on which side is the majority.
The said deal was reached during a meeting held at State House, which was attended by senior government officials including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, and Senate majority leader, Aaron Cheruiyot.
Raila’s close allies, Senate minority leader Steward Madzayo, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo attended the meeting in which Ruto agreed to allow Azimio to chair some critical house committees.
In the deal the ODM leader’s close allies take up leadership of crucial committees previously chaired by allies of impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua among the casualties.
“Yes, as Azimio, we have a deal with Kenya Kwanza on the leadership positions. More details will be there tomorrow (today). We have not decided on whom to give the positions, but we will discuss as a coalition after wide consultations and ensure the best occupy them,” a senior lawmaker told NTV
According to reports, some of the committees that Ruto has allowed Azimio to chair include; Budget and Appropriation, Health, Trade and Industry, Labour and Regional Integration.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro will be the biggest casualty in the new changes, given he was chairing the powerful Budget and Appropriation Committee.
Gachagua’s close ally, David Gakuya, will lose the leadership of the Trade and Industry Committee, while Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia will be de-whipped from the Regional Integration Committee.
Raila’s team will also be allowed to appoint five chairpersons for committees of their choice. In exchange, Azimio agreed to set aside their plans to table an impeachment motion against speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
President William Ruto and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga have agreed a deal on sharing National Assembly committee leadership
