Saturday, April 20, 2013

Cord MPs grumbling over Nyenze


SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY STAR TEAM
DISQUIET is intensifying amongst Cord MPs over their leadership in the National Assembly. With presidential candidate Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka outside Parliament, several Cord MPs are quietly revolting against the decision to hand over its leadership in the House to former cabinet minister Francis Nyenze.
Some Cord MPs from the Cord believe that their leadership is too weak and unable to put President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee government to task to deliver its election promises.
MPs, mainly from ODM, expressed displeasure over how Nyenze, the acting Leader of Minority, responded to Uhuru’s address to the House last Wednesday.
“This was the golden opportunity for the opposition in the House to put across its agenda, to show its fire, and to put the government side in a corner over its promises, but that was not the case,” said a Cord MP.
The Leader of Minority is the face of the opposition in the House and is given first priority to respond to any issue brought to the House by the government.
Nyenze, Kitui West MP on a Wiper ticket, was picked to act on temporary basis pending the return of Kalonzo who Cord hoped could become the Leader of Minority.
“We understand how crucial this position is. It is sad that we don’t have Kalonzo or even Raila inside Parliament. What I can say is that we have a problem for now which may make us not deliver as an opposition,” said a Cord MP. Jakoyo Midiwo, Gem MP for ODM was picked to deputize Nyenze but defended him.
“Nyenze's position is temporary, he is just holding brief for a substantive Leader of Minority. We cannot say his contribution is below par because generally what he has done, and ought to do, was just to second the motions by the Leader of Majority. He is a sharp person because I have worked with him." Midiwo said.
Cord wanted one of its MPs to resign but no elected or nominated member has been willing to do so. Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambo and his Mwingi North counterpart John Munuve have reportedly both refused to step down for Kalonzo.
Those tasked to engage the MPs have also developing cold feet because it has been difficult to negotiate without anything to offer. “Why are they not putting something on the table? If they are serious about Kalonzo's comeback, they should at least ensure the MP who resigns is paid the full total of the sum he would have earned as an MP over five years,” said an MP close to both Raila and Kalonzo.
Nyali MP Awiti Bolo, popularly known as Jobo Jobo, has confirmed that he was approached to step down for Kalonzo but he declined. Overtures were also made to Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu and nominated MP Bishop Robert Mutemi of Global Vision Ministry.
“These claims have caused concern to the people in my constituency. I want to assure them that I will not step down for Kalonzo,” Mutambu said. On Tuesday, Mutemi expressed surprise at media reports that he had stepped down for Kalonzo. Bishop Mutemi was nominated by Wiper to represent those with physical disability.
"If Kalonzo wants me to step down, then he should also become a disabled person like me. I represents a special interest group and they should leave me alone," Mutemi said. Apart from Ukambani, two ODM MPs from Nyanza have been approached.
“Some of us from Nyanza were ready to step down for Raila until he said he could continue influencing politics from outside Parliament. It is up to the MPs from Ukambani to step down for their man Kalonzo. But the big question is, what are you going to get before you step down? Even if you were nominated, it took quite some time and effort to lobby for election. Nothing is for free,” the MP said.
If an MP steps down, there will be a by-election and there is no guarantee that Kalonzo or Wiper would retain the seat. The party nomination lists cannot be altered at this stage. For Kalonzo to be nominated, all those on the Wiper list would first have to step down.
On Thursday, Wiper party chairman David Musila said Kalonzo is not desperate to be in Parliament, an indication that the complications of getting him into the House may now be insuperable..

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