NAIROBI, Kenya- Allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have been removed from key parliamentary committees in a sweeping restructuring of the National Assembly.
The shake-up, seen as a strategic political maneuver, has significantly diminished Gachagua’s influence within the House.
The House Selection Committee tabled the revised list of committee leadership, with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) emerging as a major beneficiary following the broad based government framework.
The new structure paves the way for Raila Odinga’s allies to take control of five influential departmental committees—Labour, Budget, Regional Integration, Health, and Trade—which are traditionally dominated by the ruling coalition.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, while issuing directions on the revised committee lineup, emphasized that members should elect leaders who will serve the House effectively.
“The Chair or Vice Chair of the committee is elected based on the dynamics you all understand. Go out and elect leadership that will strengthen this House,” Wetangula remarked.
One of the most notable changes in the reorganization is the removal of Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba as Chairperson of the Constitutional Oversight and Implementation Committee. She has been reassigned to the Members Services Committee, which is considered less influential.
Similarly, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya was stripped of his role as Chair of the Departmental Committee on Trade and reassigned to the Parliamentary Broadcast and Library Committee.
Runyejes MP Eric Karemba, who previously opposed Gachagua’s impeachment motion, has been moved from the Labour Committee to the Constitutional Oversight and Implementation Committee.
The fate of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, remains uncertain as he awaits committee elections to determine whether he will retain his position in the powerful Budget Committee. Reports suggest that his stance on Gachagua’s impeachment may cost him the role.
Other significant changes include the removal of Tetu MP Godfrey Wandeto from the Public Investment Committee on Social Services and the Departmental Committee on Information and Technology, with his new assignment being the Regional Development Committee.
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo has been transferred from the Energy, Forest, and Mining Committee to the Parliamentary Broadcast and Library Committee, a move seen as a downgrade given its lesser influence.
“You can’t remove me from my two committees without according me a hearing. Whatever has been tabled in this House is Kangoroo the speaker cannot oversee my removal without a notification from my party,”he lamented on the floor of the house.
Naivasha Town MP Jayne Kihara, a staunch Gachagua ally, has also been affected, losing her seat in the Lands Committee and being reassigned to the Members Services Committee.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu was removed from both the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and the Powers and Privileges Committee and now serves in the Parliamentary Service and Library Committee.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich, who opposed Gachagua’s impeachment, has been removed from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and the Education Committee, with his new placement being the Parliamentary Broadcast and Library Committee.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has been moved from the Agriculture Committee to the Members Services Committee, while Manyatta MP John Mukunji has been removed from the Housing Committee and now serves solely on the Committee on Oversight and Implementation.
