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Kenya

VP downplays latest coalition rift

NYERI, Kenya, May 7 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has downplayed the latest coalition row that has paralysed the work of the crucial Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Justice Affairs.

The VP has assured that an amicable solution would soon be found over the standoff to pave way for smooth constitutional implementation process.

"The on goings in Parliament should not worry you so much for the issue will soon be resolved amicably and every thing will move on," he said.

The Vice President spoke on Friday in Mukuruwe-ini Constituency during his first-day of a two day working tour of Nyeri County.

The Vice President re-assured that the Grand Coalition Government will serve its full term and will continue to deliver services to all Kenyans.

"We will continue to work together in serving Kenyans and particularly in tackling developmental challenges that include poverty alleviation," the VP added.

Area Member of Parliament who Kabando wa Kabando also took issue with the handling of the leadership wrangles rocking the Parliamentary Committee.

"The rules governing the House Committee should be adhered to and if members have expressed dissatisfaction on the leadership then those rejected should pave way for others to steer," he said.

The orange Democratic Party (ODM) on Wednesday withdrew all its five members to the justice and legal affairs committee, through a letter sent to the speaker of the house by ODM Secretary General  Anyang Nyong\’o .
 
Nyong\’o said: "The party\’s decision to withdraw its members officially makes the committee defunct and dysfunctional until the two parties resolve the leadership disputes over the leadership of the committee."

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ODM has got six seats in the commitee which are occupied by Ababu Namawamba, Millie Odhiambo, Isaac Ruto, Sofia Abdi  and Olago Aluoch but it donated one seat to the PNU coalition that was filed by Amina Abdalla in order for the committee to meet the one third gender balance provision 

It was anticipated that the wrangles would be aired during a forum at the coast sponsored by National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, but  ODM members failed to turn up for the meeting.
 
The seminar for the fast implementation was later postponed as to June 2 at the request of Prime Minister Raila odinga and Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka both of whom are leaders of political parties   

Following the withdrawal of the ODM members, Parliament has seven days after the National Assembly next meets to fill the vacant positions.

The parliamentary standing orders stipulate that a parliamentary committee consists of, not less than but not more than 11 members.
 

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