ODM, Jubilee Clash as New Divisions Emerge in Azimio

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a past event.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga outside KICC after an Azimio meeting on July 10, 2022.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee and Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parties reportedly differed over Azimio la Umoja's appointments to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). 

In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the leader of the minority, Opiyo Wandayi, indicated that the faction had nominated MPs Mishi Mboko (Likoni) and Patrick Makau (Mavoko) to the powerful positions. 

Notably missing from the list was Jubilee's nominee and Sirisia MP John Waluke. 

“I am pleased to confirm that the minority party nominees from the National Assembly to the PSC are Mishi Mboko and Patrick Makau,” read the letter in part.

A collage photo of Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni handing Sirisia MP a certificate of nomination to the PSC on November 2, 2022.
A collage photo of Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni handing Sirisia MP a certificate of nomination to the PSC on November 2, 2022.
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According to sources, Waluke was set to be replaced with Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni of the ODM party.

However, in another letter addressed to Wetangula, Jubilee party secretary general, Jeremiah Kioni, maintained that Waluke was nominated for the PSC position.

His sentiments came a day after he visited the MP at Industrial Area Prison, where he handed over the nomination certificate to the lawmaker. 

Reports alleged that Jubilee was adamant about Waluke's nomination as ODM already had two seats in PSC, chaired by the National Assembly speaker. 

Additionally, other parties in the Raila-Uhuru-led coalition also lamented about the distribution of committee positions in the House.

In particular, Eldas MP Adan Keynan and his Pokot South counterpart, David Pkosing of the Kenya Union Party, battled for a seat in the Public Investment Committee. 

ODM and Jubilee were yet to address the simmering wrangle by the time of publishing. 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula in Parliament on November 1, 2022.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula in Parliament on November 1, 2022.
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