Jubilee Alliance on Thursday took over the leadership of Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs committee in the Senate, ending a stalemate over the chairmanship of the key team.
Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow and his Kajiado counterpart Peter ole Mositet were elected chairman and deputy respectively of the powerful committee unopposed.
Mr Kerrow’s easy election to the helm of the committee was as a result of Wednesday’s ouster of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale from the team after he refused to toe the alliance’s line.
Dr Khalwale, who was also kicked out of the Implementation Committee, had been accused of failing to back Jubilee’s activities, a requirement for all partners. He was replaced by Majority Chief Whip Beatrice Elachi in Finance and Mr Ali Abdi Bule of Tana River in the Implementation Committee.
Dr Khalwale and Mr Kerrow’s bid to take over the leadership of the committee last week hit a snag after the two contestants tied in three rounds of voting.
The stalemate arose because Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o was out of the country and did not vote, leaving the committee with eight members who did not want to cede their position.
But on Thursday, it was a smooth ride for Mr Kerrow who was now unopposed. For Mr Mositet, his main challenger Senator Harold Kipchumba, did not have anyone to second his nomination as stipulated by House rules.
It also emerged that Dr Khalwale, who had the backing of the Cord Coalition, could have easily won the chairmanship had they taken advantage of a provision in the Standing Orders, which allowed them to temporarily replace Prof Nyong’o.
Article 194 states that when one member of a committee is absent, the party whip of that Senator may with the permission of the Speaker, appoint another Senator to represent them during the period of such absence.