President William Ruto's push to have a solid grip on the legislature and control of the bicameral houses received a major boost, after Kenya Kwanza dominated the leadership of Senate committees.
Ruto's ally Jackson Mandago, of Uasin Gishu County, was elected the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health and will be deputised by Nominated Senator Mariam Omar Sheikh. Mandago served as governor for two terms.
In the Finance docket, Mandera's Ali Roba took the reigns and will be deputised by Senator Tabitha Mutinda. Roba, who is the party leader of United Democratic Movement (UDM), decamped from Azimio la Umoja to Kenya Kwanza.
Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang will head the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and will be deputised by Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.
In the Justice Legal And Human Rights Committee, Bomet Senator Hillary Kiprotich Sigei, who was one of the lawyers in Ruto's defense at the Supreme Court, will serve as the chairman deputised by Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera.
Other committee leaders include Kirinyaga Senator James Murango who was elected to chair the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries with Senator Alexander Mundigi Munyi (Embu) as his deputy.
Senator Sheikh Mohamed Abass (Wajir) was elected to chair the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations while Nominated Senator Rosalinda Tuya (Nominated) was picked as the Vice Chair.
Murang'a Senator Joseph Nyutu was elected to chair the Committee on Education and he will be assisted by Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko while Senator Wamatinga Wahome (Nyeri) will lead the Energy Committee and Nominated Senator Veronicah Nduati Maina will be Vice Chair.
The committees are crucial in the governing of the Senate tasked with reviewing legislation as well as reviewing and approving the budget and expenditures for the execution of governance.
Other roles include scrutinizing governance activities, policies and programmes, conducting investigations on special issues as well as vetting and approving executive appointments.
At the beginning of October, Roba's nomination to the Senate Business Committee (SBC) caused friction between the legislators allied to Azimio la Umoja and those of Kenya Kwanza.
Azimio argued that his UDM party had not legally left the camp. Roba, however, told them off urging them to move on.
