A fresh wave of political tension swept through the National Assembly after a sweeping reconstitution of committees pushed several Orange Democratic Movement lawmakers out of influential oversight roles, igniting sharp protests and claims of political retaliation.
The changes, announced through the Selection Committee, altered the leadership and membership of several key House teams.
While parliamentary leadership insisted the review was necessary to reflect party positions and recent by-election outcomes, some of those affected argued the move was aimed at sidelining independent voices within the opposition.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi is among the most affected. He has been removed as chairperson of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee and redirected to the Sports and Culture Committee, a shift he views as a demotion from a critical constitutional watchdog role.
Kitutu Chache MP Antony Kibagendi, who remains under indefinite suspension, has also been taken off the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education and reassigned to the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee. His place in the powerful investment oversight team will now be taken by newly elected Kasipul MP Boyd Were Ong’ondo, son of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
Omondi openly criticised the decision, pointing an accusing finger at Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed.
“They don’t want me to chair CIOC because they know I’m going to oversee elections. That’s why they don’t want me to be in that committee,” he said.
He further said he had not received any official communication from Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo notifying him of his removal.
“This is a conspiracy between the Majority and Minority leaders,” Omondi said.
The lawmaker, recently appointed Secretary General of Azimio La Umoja and associated with the Linda Mwananchi wing allied to Senator Edwin Sifuna, has in recent months taken a strong stand on opposition matters.
Ichung’wah, however, defended the reshuffle, arguing that committee leadership must reflect the majority side in the House.
“He will leave that committee because it should be chaired by a majority side. We are a House that respects political parties. I have already engaged him, and he knows what to do,” Ichung’wah said last week.
Junet maintained that the changes followed a review prompted by recent political developments.
“When you are being discharged, you are not being taken to a departmental committee. The selection committee sat down, re-looked and made the changes. But the one Mr Caroli is talking about, of being discharged…it’s coming,” he said.
“I am serving a warning. Anyone who will not adhere to the party position will relinquish their committee positions to lesser ones, so that they know that it is parties which reward people to positions.”
Beyond the dispute over Omondi, the reshuffle saw Ugunja MP Moses Omondi take over the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee from Butere MP Tindi Mwale. In another switch, Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende replaced West Pokot Woman Representative Rael Chepkemoi in the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee.
Juja MP George Koimburi was transferred from the Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library Committee to the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee, replacing Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule. Malava MP David Ndakwa also joined the same committee, filling the slot left vacant after the death of nominated MP Joseph Hamisi Denar.
In Magarini, newly elected MP Harrison Kombe assumed the chairmanship of the Implementation Committee, replacing Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala.
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga was moved from the Agriculture Committee to the Members’ Services and Facilities Committee.
The reshuffle also affected lawmakers linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara and other allies were reassigned to committees viewed as less influential.
Meanwhile, legislators who have rejoined the United Democratic Alliance regained strategic roles. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba returned to the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee from the Members’ Services and Facilities Committee.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba, an advocate of the High Court, was appointed to both the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and the Regional Integration Committee, replacing members including Kesses MP Julius Rutto. Juja MP George Koimburi also secured two prominent committee assignments.
More adjustments are expected in the Senate as parties continue to reorganise their members across parliamentary structures.
