GOODBYE BABU OWINO: MAJOR TROUBLE IN ODM PARTY

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been snubbed by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition in Parliamentary committees leadership role.

The fiery lawmaker had set his eyes on the leadership of the Public Account Committee (PAC), but that will remain a dream after the coalition on Monday, October 31 released its nominees to key committees, and his name was conspicuously missing.

Azimio has picked nominated MP John Mbadi to be the chairperson of the influential committee. Mbadi will be deputised by Butere MP Tindi Mwale in the watchdog committee.

PAC is responsible for the examination of the accounts showing the appropriations of the sum voted by the House to meet the public expenditure and of such other accounts laid before the House as the Committee may think fit.

Here is Azimio’s full list of members recommended for leadership of Minority Committees in the National Assembly.

Rift in ODM

Reports indicate that the ODM Party decided to give Mbadi the leadership of PAC after Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi was picked to be the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, a position Mbadi held in the 12th Parliament.

The decision had not sit well with Mbadi, who felt that the MP Wandayi was a junior to him in terms of ODM Party membership, “how then can he lead me in the National Assembly”.

But in so doing, the Orange party has opened another can of worms. Critics have been faulting the party of not giving young leaders the chance to hold influential positions. Reports indicated that the PAC chair position had been reserved for Babu Owino. But Babu sensed mischief long time ago when he revealed that he was asked to stand down for Mbadi.

“With Due respect why should Hon John Mbadi come down from the position of Majority leader to PAC chair which was reserved for me. This will not happen!!! Over my dead body…Young people must get their space.. it’s now or never . He has been rewarded through Nomination,” Babu said in a Tweet earlier September 23.

But in a rejoinder, Mbadi told off Babu. “My NOMINATION to the National Assembly must not be misconstrued. My supporters in Homa Bay have never recovered from emotional damages they sustained when I was asked (and I complied) to shelve my gubernatorial bid. PROPER organization is key!”

By tv 47