PSC: Wiper, Jubilee alliance deepens NASA cracks

National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition’s unity is expected to be put to test today with ODM expected to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) to deliberate on the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) row within the opposition.

Cracks in NASA deepened on the floor of the House on Wednesday after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi  used the formula used to share the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)  slots by the coalition last year to allocate one slot to Wiper Party nominee Ben Momanyi.

The happenings in Parliament appeared to shutter a deal agreed on by NASA on Monday where Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr was to trade his Minority Whip position in the Senate for the PSC job.

Sources indicate that ODM has recalled its nominees Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga pending resolutions that will arise during the NEC meeting.

Meanwhile, Jubilee MPs are keen on using their numerical strength to shoot down Wanga’s name for what they claim is for her harsh criticism of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

NASA in the past week has failed to agree on its nominees.

ODM is also expected to hold a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting on Friday with its members keen on using their numbers in the coalition in both chambers of Parliament to push for a review of the formula used to share the House leadership slots a move that could further widen the rift within NASA.

ODM has 76 members in the National Assembly and 20 in the Senate. Wiper Party has 23 members in the National Assembly and 3 in the Senate.

ANC has 14 members in the National Assembly and 1 in the Senate.

Wrangles

The combat spilled at the floor of the House on Wednesday when Majority Leader Aden Duale submitted the names of five nominees to the influential commission including that of Wiper Party nominee Ben Momanyi alongside those of Jubilee nominees nominated Senator Beth Mugo, Taveta Mp Naomi Shabaan, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Eldas MP Aden Keynan.

Minority leader and Minority Whip Junet Mohammed claimed that Wiper Party was working with Jubilee to frustrate in-house agreements.

“When the Majority Leader (Duale) submits the name of the Wiper nominee together with that of Jubilee nominees then we are mixing sheep and goats Mr. Speaker,” said Mr. Mohammed.

“You can even hear the shouts from the other side. When you want to know the owner of the dog you touch the dog and you will see the owners coming out,” said Mr. Mbadi.

“But the way this name has been bulldozed my friend Momanyi I know you will be in the commission because of the tyranny but I want to advise him to look at where he really belongs,” added Mr. Mbadi.

However Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu warned that Wiper is mooting kicking ODM out of NASA for what he claimed was failure by ODM to treat Wiper like an equal partner.

“When you seduce a girl and the girl keeps on running away from you. You can always seek an alternative. Let not people think that we do not have an alternative Mr. Speaker,” said the Kitui Central legislator.