Nairobi — The National Assembly has approved names of individuals who will sit in the powerful Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) after days of jostling and lobbying within Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
Lawmakers approved Likoni MP Mishi Mboko (ODM), Mavoko MP Patrick Makau (Wiper) and Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo (Jubilee) to represent Azimio is last-minute changes that saw the opposition camp drop Sirisia MP John Waluke.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan (Jubilee) who spared no efforts lobbying for the post to extend his fifteen years in the commission also missed the slot. He had viciously opposed Waluke's initial nomination and termed official correspondences by Jubilee Party as fake.
The majority Kenya Kwanza Alliance will be represented by Nyandarua Women Rep Faith Gitau (UDA), Nyali MP Mohammed Ali (UDA), Nominated Senator Joyce Korir (UDA) and Laikipia Senator Nderitu Kinyua (UDA).
The approval of Dullo to the PSC will see her relinquish her position as the Senate Minority Whip.
A source intimated that Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina could replace Dullo as the Minority Whip who will the cede the Deputy Minority Whip slot to his Nyamira counterpart Okong'o Omogeni.
Azimio had been given three slots to nominate two names from the National Assembly and one from the Senate while Kenya Kwanza Alliance had four slots.
Confusion had rocked the Raila Odinga-led coalition over the sharing of the three slots following a tussle between Jubilee Party and Wiper Party over who would field a representative from the National Assembly.
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Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party had written to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula communicating the nomination of Waluke for the post.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni insisted on having one slot for consideration in the powerful commission.
"Jubilee Party wishes to submit the name of Hon. John Waluke Koyi, Members of Parliament for Sirisia Constituency to be a Commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission," Kioni said in the letter.
However, in the names forwarded to the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, Waluke's name was dropped.
The Commission consists of the Speaker of the National Assembly, as the Chairperson, seven Members appointed by Parliament and a woman and a man appointed by Parliament from persons who are experienced in public affairs but are not Members of Parliament.
The Clerk of the Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, is the Secretary to the Commission.
The PSC direct and supervise the administration of the services and facilities provided by, and exercise budgetary control over, the Parliamentary Service as well as determine and review the terms and conditions of service of persons holding or acting in the offices of the Parliamentary Service.
