Political bigwigs eye key posts in Senate

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTRATING

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and his Meru counterpart Kiraitu Murungi will fight to control of the powerful Energy, Roads and Transportation committee. Photo/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, April 28   2013 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Positions have attracted qualified leaders to head the committees

SHARE THIS STORY

  

0
inShare

Former Cabinet ministers and political bigwigs are lined-up to battle for the control of key committees in the Senate in elections slated to begin on Tuesday.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and his Meru counterpart Kiraitu Murungi will fight to control of the powerful Energy, Roads and Transportation committee while former Defence minister Yusuf Haji, who is the Garissa Senator, is in the race for the National Security and Foreign Relations team.

Mr Haji is face former Internal Security minister Godfrey Kariuki who is the Laikipia Senator.

Like Mr Moi and Mr Kiraitu, Mr Haji and Mr Kariuki are members of the ruling Jubilee Coalition which enjoys a slight majority in the Senate.

Former Attorney-General, who is now the Busia Senator, Mr Amos Wako and Nandi Senator Stephen Sang’ are in the race to head the equally powerful committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

On Sunday Mr Murungi told the Nation he had decided to challenge Mr Moi for the leadership of the Energy committee due to his vast knowledge in the sector.

“I have a lot of experience in the energy sector and I know that this is an important committee that should be placed on the hands a person who understands the sector so well,” Mr Murungi said.

On Sunday Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale of the Committee on Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs said he will be seeking to chair the committee.

Dr Khalwale who steered the Public Accounts Committee in the 10th Parliament will fight it out with equally influential politician Billow Kerrow, Senator for Mandera.

“Initially we were being blocked from joining committees because UDF is not a parliamentary party as per statutes. But that matter has since been resolved. If I am not attacked by the so called tyranny of numbers then I hope to chair the Committee on Finance,” he stated.