The Senate has changed the leadership of its committees days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies were de-whipped from their positions.
The Senate officially announced on Thursday, February 20, that Siaya Senator and Raila Odinga's brother Oburu Odinga was elected to chair the Senate Standing Committee on Energy.
"Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga has been elected unanimously as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy," the communications wing of the Senate stated.
Oburu will be deputised by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kipkemoi Kisang.
The Standing Committee on Energy considers all matters related to fossil fuels exploration, development, production, maintenance, and regulation of energy.
The committee chairperson position was previously led by Nyeri Senator Wamatinga Wahome, an ally of former DP Gachagua.
The Senate also elected Wajir Senator Abass Mohamed and nominated Senator Catherine Mumma as the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations respectively.
The fresh appointments come barely a week after Gachagua's allies including Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa, and Kirinyaga Senator James Murango were axed from various senate committees.
Nyutu held a position in the Senate Education Committee, Thangwa held the position of Roads and Transport Committee chairperson while Murango was kicked out as the Agriculture Committee Chair.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu was also axed from the Environment and Natural Resources Committee where he served as the chairman.
Gachagua's allies lost the lucrative positions for openly criticising President William Ruto's government.
Responding to the purge, senator Thangwa on Thursday revealed that he had been reassigned to the Devolution Committee. The Senator assured that with his experience in devolution he was committed to ensuring governors are held accountable, and compelling the national government to fully transfer all devolved functions along with their corresponding resources.
Committees are a vital tool in the working processes of Legislatures, without which, the proceedings of a legislature could grind to a halt for the sheer volume of activities that would have to be considered at Plenary.
Among the perks that legislatures get in committees include Ksh15,000 per sitting up to a monthly maximum of Ksh240,000 for the chairperson, Ksh12,000 per sitting up to a monthly maximum of Ksh192,000 for the vice chairperson, and Ksh7,500 per sitting up to a monthly maximum of Ksh120,000 for the committee members.
Other perks include travel allowance, car maintenance allowance, and milage claims among others.
