NAIROBI, Kenya — A high-stakes restructuring of parliamentary committees is underway as President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga’s camps move to overhaul leadership and membership across key House panels.
Lawmakers allied with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, absentee members, and underperforming committee chairs and vice chairs are among those targeted in the looming purge.
The changes will take effect when the National Assembly and Senate resume sittings on February 11.
At the heart of the shake-up is a review of sessional committees, whose tenure is set to expire.
However, multiple sources indicate the purge could extend beyond the mandated reconstitution, affecting a wide array of House committees.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed House leaders to fast-track the restructuring, citing the expiration of committee terms.
“I hereby direct the Majority and Minority leaders to move in earnest and reconstitute the 18 committees whose terms have come to an end,” Wetang’ula said during a retreat in Naivasha last week.
While the changes are procedural, they offer Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition and Odinga’s ODM party an opportunity to realign committee leadership to their advantage.
Insiders suggest the overhaul could be used to sideline Gachagua’s allies, who previously survived an attempted purge.
Senate Deputy Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna confirmed that underperforming committees would be restructured.
“There is a desire to overhaul all the committees. Some have lost steam, and others have become dormant,” Sifuna said. “Members have been disappointed with the leadership of some panels, where over 100 questions are still pending.”
Both Kenya Kwanza and ODM are set to hold parliamentary group meetings to ratify the impending changes.
Several influential lawmakers—particularly those who head powerful watchdog committees—are at risk of being ousted.
Senate committee chairs in the crosshairs include: Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa (Roads and Transportation), Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu (Education), Nyandarua Senator John Methu (Lands and Environment), Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar (Trade and Industrialization), and Kirinyaga Senator James Murango (Agriculture).
Additionally, members of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAC) and Delegated Legislation Committee are expected to be affected, with attendance records playing a key role in determining their fate.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa defended the review, stating that it is standard practice to assess committee performance midterm.
“In Parliament, there is always a review to ensure committees are functioning properly and serving the greater interest of the country,” Ichung’wa said.
National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge noted that committee inefficiency has led to significant legislative backlogs, with over 200 proposals pending before departmental committees.
The restructuring comes at a time of heightened political maneuvering, with Ruto’s allies keen to consolidate control and Odinga’s camp looking to assert influence.
The move to remove Gachagua’s allies could further strain relations within Kenya Kwanza, where divisions have been growing over succession politics.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed urged fairness in the process, emphasizing the need for competence over political loyalty.
“I urge the leadership to ensure members with the capacity to serve are placed in the right committees,” Junet said.
