The National Super Alliance Party (NASA) seems to be following the footsteps of the Jubilee Party after its move to crack the whip on disloyal members- By Prudence Wanza
Yesterday, NASA held its Parliamentary Group meeting at the Parliament buildings an the intention was clear, to kick out distractors in the party, and those who have continuously failed to pledge loyalty to the party.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa might be the biggest loser after she was removed from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and was replaced by Likoni MP Mishi Mboko.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa was also dewhipped from the Deputy Minority Whip. He was replaced by Tongaren MP Esemeli Simiyu of Ford Kenya.
Eight other MPs allied to the Ruto’s Tangatanga camp were also removed from their respective house committees.
MPs affected include; Sylvanus Osoro(Mugirango South) who was removed from the Agriculture Committee and the Committee on implementation, Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango) from the Transport and powers and pivileges Committee, Nakala Lodepe (Turkana Central) from the Defense and Foreign Relations Committee, Catherine Wambilyanga (Bungoma Woman Representative) from the Labour committee, Education and Selection Committee.
Others are; David Ochieng(Ugenya) from the Health Committee, Tindi Mwale (Butere) from the Energy, Delegated and Selection Committee, Katana Kahindi (Kaloleni) from Public investments Committee and Bady Twalib (Jomvu) from Budget and Appropriations committee.
Parliament minority leader John Mbadi said the changes were made to pluck out disloyalty from NASA leaders who would not represent them well in the upcoming constitutional reforms and the adoption of the Budget due to be read in the second week June.
“We want loyal members to work closely with leadership of the House to ensure that reforms are achieved,” he said
The Minority Whip Junet Mohammed said party discipline is key in driving agendas in the parliament and hence the changes had to be made.
“Parliament is a house of political parties and coalitions. Party disciplne is therefore critical to the proper conduct of parliamentary business.” He stated.
The meeting was attended by 108 of the 135 Nasa MPs from ODM, Wiper, Amani National Congress and Ford Kenya. It is not known if NASA will go the Jubilee way, and axe members who did not attend the meeting.
