Ruto-Mudavadi craft to sabotage agenda in Parliament

National Assembly yesterday halted its business after Members of Parliament allied to Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congess leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula shoot down a motion seeking to approve members of the House Business Committee (HBC).

Speaker Justin Muturi adjourned the House, which had reconvened yesterday after the long December recess, indefinitely after a majority of members voted against the list of names to sit in the committee which is charged with formulating the business of the House.

The motion, which was moved by Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya, sought to approve the appointment of members Joyce Emanikor, Shadrack Mose, Kawira Mwangaza, Mohamed Abdikhaim Osman, Makali Mulu, Mishi Mboko and Godfrey Osotsi.

HBC sets the agenda of Parliament including prioritising the motions in order of their precedence. It is chaired by the Speaker and comprises among others, the leaders of the two sides and the Whips and seven other members nominated by parliamentary parties

The Budget Policy Statement, which was to be tabled in the first week after resumption will be delayed, the Finance Bill, the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, Huduma Bill, Election laws, Regulation of Political Parties, and the Petroleum Products Bill among others.

The National Assembly remains adjourned until further notice unless the standstill is resolved, this may cause a dilemma in the operations of the government as the motion can only be re-introduced after six months.

The anti-handshake MPs rejected a motion for the reconstitution of the House Business Committee, which is a blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legislative agenda.

Following the rejection of the names, MPs are required to prepare a fresh list and propose the same to the Speaker.

Standing Order number 49 reads; “No motion may be moved which is the same in substance as any question which has been resolved (either in the affirmative or in the negative) during the preceding six months in the same Session.”

“(2) Despite paragraph (1)— (a) a Motion to rescind the decision on such a question may be moved with the permission of the Speaker.”