Sources within ODM have exclusively told Channel 15 News that President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have engaged in high-level talks and finalized the leadership of key National Assembly committees, bringing an end to a protracted deadlock.
The standoff over the leadership of crucial House committees had escalated to the two leaders after their respective negotiators failed to strike a deal. At the heart of the impasse were the leadership positions of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, currently chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, and the Finance and National Planning Committee, led by Molo MP Kimani Kuria.
Initially, Kenya Kwanza had no objections to ceding control of the Budget Committee to ODM. Insiders reveal that President Ruto’s camp was willing to let go of the position as Ndindi Nyoro, the current chair, had not been fully aligned with Kenya Kwanza’s policy direction. In response, ODM proposed Alego-Usonga MP Samuel Atandi as Nyoro’s replacement, while Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Kaluma was lined up to chair the Finance and National Planning Committee.
Other ODM MPs poised to take over the leadership of reserved committees include Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron (Health), Nyaribari Masaba MP Dan Manduku (Transport), Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga (Energy), and Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda (Labour).
According to sources, Kenya Kwanza ultimately agreed to hand over the leadership of the Transport, Energy, Health, and Labour committees to ODM without resistance. However, a major sticking point was the Finance and Planning Committee. Kenya Kwanza insisted on retaining Kimani Kuria as chair in exchange for ODM taking over the other committees.
Following direct intervention by President Ruto and Raila Odinga, a compromise has reportedly been reached, effectively finalizing the leadership changes. While details of the full agreement remain undisclosed, the resolution signals a new phase of political cooperation between the two camps within the National Assembly.
This comes in the wake of their meeting for the first time today at Mombasa State House in public since the failed AU bid, where Raila refuted claims that the state spent Ksh 13 billion on his AU campaign.
