National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichungwa has admitted to the emergence of cracks in the Kenya Kwanza coalition as a result of the just concluded East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) elections. “Like every election, there comes with divisions. This was no different. But we want to move on and ask all the nine EALA representatives to give us the best in Arusha and help us get the best laws,” said Mr Ichung’wa.
Following a Parliamentary Group meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at Nairobi’s State House, presided over by President William Ruto, the Kenya Kwanza coalition chose Hassan Omar, Mwangi Maina, Iman Falhada, Ziporah Kering, and David Sankok. The five garnered 253, 213, 174, 223 and 223 votes respectively.
Azimio leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga’s two children Kennedy Musyoka and Winnie Odinga also made it to the list of nine appointed by Parliament on Thursday night to represent Kenya in the East Africa Legislative Assembly in Arusha (EALA).
Aside from the two the Azimio One Kenya Coalition also managed to get former Kieni MP Kanini Kega and Mombasa politician Suleiman Shahbal into the East African Legislative Assembly. Winnie Odinga, ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s daughter, won the support of 247 MPs from both coalitions, while Kanini Kega of the Jubilee Party received 197 votes, placing her in the top three. Suleiman Shahbal of the ODM party received 181 votes to end the list of the four Azimio MPs.
The nine now have access to a monthly gross salary of Ksh. 1.4 million each, including allowances, a vehicle provided by the mother country, a free trip to another member country, and travel expenses, will now join their colleagues in Arusha next month for swearing-in ahead of their sittings.
