The Senate has filled positions left vacant in the Finance Committee after a court nullified the election of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is the new member of the committee replacing former minority leader Wetang’ula.
After Senate committees were constituted in May, Khawale served briefly before being de-whipped by the Jubilee coalition for supporting Cord.
Khalwale told the Senate that he is “like-minded with Cord” and therefore comfortable working in the interest of the minority coalition.
“I am a member of the UDF. I do not subscribe to Jubilee,” he said.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen sought direction from the Speaker Ekwe Ethuro on the shifting of alliances by Khalwale.
He said it is contrary to the law.
“Nominations are made by political parties. If someone is independent
or quasi independent like Khalwale, what happens?” Mukomen said.
Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi said the Political Parties Act states that a member who advances the interests of another party violates the law and should face the consequences.
Khalwale however said the consequences only apply to the support of parties and not coalitions.
He said the interest at stake was that of the Cord coalition against those in Jubilee.
Ethuro said a party can nominate a member from another party if it feels the member can make useful contribution to the committee.
“It has happened before. A precedent has been set,” he said.
Other changes made in the Senate include that of deputy Minority Leader Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan (Wajir) who replaces Wetang’ula in the Rules and Business Committee while Kennedy Mong’are (Nyamira) took up a position in the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr is now a member of the Finance Committee.
– the-star
