Besides the position of Speaker in the National Assembly, who is also the third in command in the pecking order, the other most powerful position in the House is the docket of the Leader of Majority.
The Kenyan 2010 Constitution under Article 108 provides for the position of Leader of the Majority who shall come from the largest party or coalition of parties in Parliament.
“There shall be a leader of the majority party and a leader of the minority party”.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the powers that the office-bearer wields, and why it matters to the President to have his ally as the Leader of Majority in the 13th Parliament.
First, The Leader of the Majority assists the president or speaker with program development policy formation and decisions. This is because the President, Deputy President and Cabinet Secretaries are not members of the National Assembly.
It is therefore necessary to have a person who coordinates between the executive and parliament and pushes the legislative agenda of the ruling party.
The Leader of Majority also helps in scheduling and streamlining the calendar for legislation which is important in the planning of the House Business.
He/She is also supposed to consult members to gauge the issues of the day by lobbying and whipping party members to rally behind a particular position through motions, debates and voting.
Additionally, the Leader of Majority is tasked to communicate the Party’s overarching policy messages to the media and public as well as monitor the opposition’s movement in house matters for instance how they are likely to vote.
On the other hand, the docket comes with hefty perks including allowances, official cars, bodyguards and a plum office with the support staff at Parliament Buildings.
Currently, a Majority Leader is entitled to Ksh Sh768,000 monthly gross salary with furnished offices and staff provided by the Public Service Commission.
The pay includes Ksh460,800 basic pay, Ksh150,000 house allowance and Ksh157,200 salary market adjustment.
Azimio and Kenya Kwanza have been embroiled in a debate over which political faction has the majority members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly. Both coalitions have maintained that they are on the majority side.
President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza has nominated Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichuing'wah as its House leader. He is to be deputised by his Kilifi North counterpart Owen Baya.
Azimio on the other hand fronted Ugunja Member of Parliament (MP) Opiyo Wandayi (ODM) for the position and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed (ODM) for the Majority Whip.
Defense CS Aden Duale was one of the longest-serving Leader of Majority before he was ousted in 2020.
