Kitui MCAs unanimously pass House team after hours of drama

Members of the Kitui County Assembly have unanimously given a nod to a new House Business Committee team hours after they threatened to shoot down the list. 

 

During a Wednesday afternoon sitting the House roared in unison of “ayes” after Speaker George Ndotto put the question for the House to approve the 14-member committee bringing to an end the cloud of tension that had engulfed the Chambers earlier in the day.

The Committee passed is composed of Speaker George Ndotto, Majority Leader Peter Kilonzo (Athi), Minority Leader Alex Nganga( Miambani), Majority Whip Stephen Musili (Kyuso) and his Minority counterpart James Wangunze (Chuluni).

Powerful Committee

Others in the powerful committee are Jane Mutua (Kauwi), James Munuve (Kanziko), Mary Ndumbu (Nominated), David Thuvi ( Kithumula/Kwamutonga), Anthony Mbiti (Ikanga), Jacob Kavolonza (Mui),  Nicholas Mwalali (Mbitini) and Alexander Mbili (Kyangwitya East). 

This came barely three hours after the MCAs had threatened to reject the list over what they termed as unfairness, lack of gender and regional balance, alleged marginalisation of some Members and claims of underperformance by previous members of the powerful committee.

In a heated debate that lasted for more than two hours during the morning sitting, a section of the county lawmakers who took the floor said they would vote to disapprove the motion which was moved by Leader of Majority Mr. Kilonzo and seconded by his Ikanga counterpart Anthony Mbiti.

“This Committee has failed and needs to be reconstituted again… The point is we have been giving the same people the opportunity to serve but they have failed. What we need Mr. Speaker is change, “said Ikutha MCA Geoffrey Mwalimu amid thunderous applause from the House.

His sentiments were shared by among others Johnson Kanandu (Mumoni), Joeshaphat Nzamba (Mulango), Kasee Musya (Kisasi), Ruth Kyene (Nzambani), Jefarson Kiruru (Nguni), Boniface Kilaa (Tseikuru) and Philip Nguli (Migwani).

On his part, Kanandu decried that the composition of the committee did not adhere to the constitutional requirement of regional balance. “The committee has 14 members. We have 8 sub-counties but one is conspicuously missing called Mwingi West,” he said. 

The morning sitting was characterised by drama, shout outs and numerous interjections as well as unusual name-calling that prompted the Speaker to reprimand some of the members.  

While urging the MCAs to okay the names, Kilonzo warned that in the event the Assembly would have rejected the names crucial business of the House would stall. “I am just talking about the impact of this thing. If it goes to the drain, we will leave here without the budget [for the year) 2022/2023,” he argued.

Other Members who supported the motion included Jane Mutua (Kauwi), James Munuve (Kanziko), David Thuvi (Kithumula/Kwamutonga, Sylvester Munyalo (Matinyani), Alexander Mbili (Kyangwithya East) and Mary Ndumbu (Nominated).

It took the intervention of the Speaker to save the committee after he declined to put the question on the matter during the morning sitting and instead asked the MCAs to first reflect on the decision they were about to take.

 According to the August House Standing Orders, the committee Membership should be between 11 and 17 members.

The Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader and Whips of the both sides are automatic members of the committee by virtue of the positions they occupy. Others are nominated by their party whips to be part of the team.

It is now apparent that the County Assembly will kick off the business next week for its sixth session which will last for approximately three months before the House adjourns in early May to pave way for campaigns.

The House Business Committee is responsible for coming up with the business to be undertaken by the Assembly and allotting it time. 

 BY MWINGI TIMES TEAM