Speaker and deputy compromised by Raila, says Rutto

Wednesday, 25 May 2011 00:14 BY ISAAC ONGIRI

CHEPALUNGU MP Isaac Rutto yesterday accused Speaker Kenneth Marende and his deputy Farah Maalim of having been compromised by the PM Raila to intimidate the Legal Affairs Committee. Addressing journalists at Parliament buildings yesterday, Rutto warned that serious actions may be taken agianst the two if they do not change their ways.
The MP said the Speaker has refused to facilitate the committee to proceed with its normal duties under the current vice chairman Njoroge Baiya.
He said members of the committee were blocked from a meeting on Thursday and claimed the Speaker’s office is to blame.
As of yesterday, it was not clear which committee, between Legal Affairs and the Oversight committee will handle the vetting of the nominees for the Chief Justice,his deputy and the Director of Public Prosecution. “The Speaker and his deputy are sabotaging the work of the committee and this is a well calculated move to ensure the implementation exercise collapses then blame it on certain people,”he said.
Rutto further alleged that the speaker and his deputy were working to shield Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba. “It is very sad that the key offices in Parliament have refused to follow the regulations of the House. They have been compromised by the Prime Minister and the ODM,” he said. Rutto said a decision by the Liaison Committee to reject the resolution passed by six members of the committee to have Namwamba kicked out was meaningless since it was not backed by standing orders.