Wiper Democratic Movement has suspended a planned People’s Assembly forum that was organised by National Super Alliance (NASA) affiliate parties.
The party came to that conclusion following the unresolved dispute with NASA leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over the sharing of parliamentary leadership slots.
Wiper’s National Executive Council on Wednesday settled to put off the forum until the disagreement between the parties is resolved, putting NASA swearing-in plans at a limbo.
“We have tentatively resolved to have the dates changed from this Sunday and we shall be having it done on the 19th,” noted Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana.
[caption caption="Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and the party chair Kivutha Kibwana"]
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Kibwana, Wiper party Chairman, stated: "There has been some disquiet about the sharing of House Committee positions and we have asked our party leader at the summit to talk about this issue which is not a light matter. There was an agreement between the principals about how those seats were going to be shared so that there is equity in the coalition."
According to Citizen, the party leaders took an issue during the meeting on how they were unfairly allocated leadership roles within NASA.
“We have agreed that the Ukambani governors; myself, Charity Ngilu and Wavinya Ndeti will meet so that we can arrange how the people’s assembly of lower eastern will happen, ”mentioned Mr Kibwana.
The party reiterated its position on dialogue, resolving to have party leader Kalonzo Musyoka take the front line in pushing for talks with the government.
Legislators present in the meeting allegedly requested Musyoka to demand the replacement of Suna-East MP Junet Mohamed of ODM as the Minority Chief Whip.
[caption caption="Ukambani leaders"]
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The Wiper leaders want the position given to Kathiani lawmaker Robert Mbui, who they say was supposed to take up the Chief Whip position.
The move is likely to slow down the push to swear in Odinga and Musyoka on January 30 as Machakos forum was part of a series of events in NASA’s action plan.
