NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyans on popular social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have expressed divergent views after Siaya Senator, Oburu Odinga was elected unanimously as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy.
Oburu also known as Oburu Ng’ong’a Oginga, is the elder brother to former African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship candidate, Raila Odinga.
Born on October 15, 1943, Oburu who has previously held various political roles, including serving as a Member of Parliament for Bondo and as a Commissioner in the East African Legislative Assembly will be deputised by his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart William Kisang’.
Oburu replaces Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga who is now a commissioner at the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
However, following Oburu’s appointment to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, a section of Kenyans appears to have taken issue with the move slamming the seasoned politician for taking up the role.
How Kenyans on X reacted to Oburu Odinga’s new role
Against this backdrop, Y News has sampled some of the reactions below:
@GatimuKL wrote:
“With Oburu running the Senate Energy Committee and @OpiyoWandayi as CS Energy, Kenya’s power sector is now a family inheritance. Meritocracy died so nepotism could thrive—someone switch off the lights, we’ve seen enough!”
@an_derso said:
“The youth are energetic; they can’t chair such a committee. It’s for the weak.”
@Ck_nyongo opined:
“What are his views on the following: Energy transition from coal, oil, and gas to solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear, Energy Security in the context of geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating fuel prices and Decarbonization in relation to global warming?”
@Ndoroboh observed:
“The youthful representative of the ODM party has been elected…I can truly say that it’s not the will of many senators to elect this old man but just to make his brother happy so that he spares their position and gives them muosho mmoja…”
@kim_muthuri said:
“Broad based is going even deeper and tighter!”
@KiyaiJesus3 wrote:
“Congratulations to him. Let him champion lightning and power the whole of Kenya.”
@gabriel_0guda opined:
“Congratulations strong man! Incoming Siaya Governor!”
Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga has been elected unanimously as the Chairman of the the Senate Standing Committee on Energy #SenateLive
Meanwhile, Y News understands that Senators Abass Mohamed (Wajir) and Catherine Mumma (Nominated) have unanimously been elected as the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations respectively.
