The Clerk of Kenya’s National Assembly Samuel Njoroge on Thursday, March 6, 2025, officially declared vacancies in the positions of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson across several parliamentary committees following the reconstitution of committee memberships.
The announcement, made on March 5, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the 13th Parliament’s fourth session as lawmakers prepare to elect new leadership in key legislative bodies.
The declaration, issued under Standing Order 179(2), comes after an afternoon sitting in which the House approved a revised composition of committee members.
This restructuring, a routine yet significant parliamentary exercise, is expected to shape legislative oversight and policy direction in the months ahead.
Members interested in vying for these influential roles have been invited to collect nomination papers from designated offices as per the schedule provided.
The committees affected by this process are central to the National Assembly’s legislative and oversight functions, making the upcoming leadership elections a critical juncture for parliamentary operations.
Gachagua allies purge
Allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua lost their seats in crucial parliamentary committees following a major reshuffle in the National Assembly.
The reconstitution, carried out on Wednesday, has drastically reduced Gachagua’s influence in parliament, signalling a decisive political shift.
The new committee leadership list, presented by the House Selection Committee, highlights the growing dominance of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The party’s lawmakers are now poised to chair five influential departmental committees – Labour, Budget, Regional Integration, Health, and Trade.
These positions, typically controlled by the ruling coalition, are now in ODM’s hands as President William Ruto works to integrate Raila Odinga into his administration, just weeks after Baba’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula instructed legislators to select new committee heads in line with parliamentary procedures.
“The clerk will provide a schedule for committee elections tomorrow. Leadership changes are part of the House’s natural progression – members leave, and others step in,” Wetang’ula remarked.
He further urged MPs to elect capable leaders, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with such positions.
“Those chosen must prioritize House business. Leadership demands accountability,” he added.
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