Alliance eyes parliamentary Speaker’s seat after gunning majority

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: The Jubilee Alliance is planning to nominate Siakago MP-elect Justin Muturi for the position of National Assembly Speaker.

A TNA official intimated last evening that Muturi would get the nomination to contest against incumbent Kenneth Marende of CORD and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa (Amani).

Muturi, who is a former magistrate, is the current chairman of Centre for Multi-Party Democracy and has been one of the key pillars of Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential campaign team.

He served as the opposition Chief Whip during Uhuru’s five-year term as leader of the opposition in Parliament between 2003 and 2007.

Muturi continued to work closely with Uhuru in Kanu as the then party chairman battled for control of the party with Baringo Senator-elect Mr Gideon Moi.

Another source had earlier indicated that Uhuru would go for former Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa because he will need a representation in Western Kenya.

With Jubilee controlling both the National Assembly and the Senate, President-elect Uhuru is said to be keen to have his key ally to take over the leadership of the House.

TNA in particular believe Muturi is a firm lawyer who will help make key decisions that affect the relationship between the Legislature and the Executive.

A House Speaker who is also the head of the Legislature would be one of the most powerful figures in the country after the President and Chief Justice.

In the deal, William Ruto’s URP will be allocated Majority Leader and the Senate Speaker position will reportedly go to Garissa Township MP-elect Adan Duale and Francis ole Kaparo respectively.

However, some leaders in the URP are proposing that Environment minister Chirau Mwakwere also of URP be nominated the Majority Leader instead of Duale.

“I can assure you we have a deal but URP is yet to decide if Duale gets the Majority Leader position or a way is found for Mwakwere to get nomination and assume the position,” the source added.

Break-in

Meanwhile, thieves broke into the TNA party headquarters on Sunday night located in Promiso House along Jogoo Road in Nairobi and escaped with over 30 computers.

TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja confirmed the burglary, saying the party was treating it as a criminal act and has reported to police. “We have reported the matter to the police who will conduct investigation,” he said, adding that no crucial information was lost during the incident.

“We did not lose any data or information since as a digital team, we store our information elsewhere not in the office computers,” he said.