NASA holds make-or-break talks amid PSC nominees row

NASA holds make-or-break talks amid PSC nominees row

The National Super Alliance is set to hold a make-or-break meeting of the coalition’s parliamentary leadership on Monday morning amid dispute over NASA’s nominees to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Speaker Justin Muturi on Thursday last week gave NASA until Monday, February 19 to present nominees for their three slots in the PSC after three failed attempts.

Even as the deadline lapses, the coalition is still rocked in a conflict over the sharing of the three positions in the lucrative commission that handles MPs welfare.

Sources within the coalition intimated to Citizen Digital that the NASA co-principals had agreed that the coalition submits the names of Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Wiper), Glady’s Wanga (ODM) and Aisha Jumwa (ODM).

Speaking to Citizen TV on phone, Minority Leader John Mbadi on Sunday claimed that the parties had already struck a deal and that he would be presenting one common list of three nominees to the Speaker’s office on Monday.

However, Wiper nominee to the PSC, Borabu MP Ben Momanyi, whose name was initially submitted by Wiper to the Speaker, says he is not aware of any such deal.

“What ODM is doing is wasting its time. On Thursday, when the Speaker gave this Monday deadline to me it meant he gave the ODM side time to bring their two nominees,” he said.

After internal consultations, NASA is reportedly considering to have the Wiper slot in the PSC filled by Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr who would then have to relinquish his position as Senate Minority Whip to ANC’s George Khaniri.

This would allow ODM to retain its two slots in the PSC and still pacify coalition partners Wiper and ANC, a rather delicate balance that would require the nod from all affiliate parties.

“How does ODM come into Wiper affairs. If they are nominating Mutula Kilonzo and they want to give him a slot that belongs to ODM, they should donate to him. In any event Mutula Kilonzo never expressed interest in this position at the party level,” said Momanyi.

Even as NASA grapples with the simmering row over PSC nominees, another hurdle awaits the coalition. The Jubilee lawmakers have reportedly been instructed to reject the name of Gladys Wanga, ostensibly due to her fierce criticism of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 

Tags:

Jubilee Party odm Wiper Party Parliamentary Service Commission NASA coalition

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