Former MP Oburu Odinga applies to be considered for nomination to the East African Legislative Assembly

Oburu Odinga with his brother Raila Odinga. (Photo: Courtesy)

Former Nominated MP Oburu Odinga is among high profile individuals who have applied to be considered for nomination to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Dr Oburu, who is NASA chief Raila Odinga's elder brother is among the candidates who have picked nomination papers from the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai, alongside a host of other politicians who served in the last Parliament.

Apart from former lawmakers, the list is also dominated by cronies of Jubilee party leaders, loyalists and party stalwarts who are keen to revive their careers.

Outgoing MPs affiliated to Jubilee and who have applied to be considered include Moses ole Sakuda (Kajiado West), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Abdi Saney (Wajir North) and Zipporah Kering (Nandi Woman Rep).

Other former MPs who have applied to be considered by the same party are Simon Mbugua (Kamukunji), Danson Mungatana (Garsen) and Kalembe Ndile (Kibwezi).

Interestingly, two current members of the National Assembly, MPs Nzengu Musyimi (Mwingi North) and Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega Woman Rep) have also applied for the EALA posts.

They are both allied to ODM. If they sail through, they will be forced to forfeit their positions in the August House paving way for by-elections in their respective constituencies.

The Standard established on Tuesday that apart from Oburu, outgoing Vihiga County Women Representative Dorcas Kedogo, was the other notable Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician who had expressed interest in the post.

All those interested have until tomorrow, to present their nomination papers to clerks of the bicameral Parliament, who will be the presiding officers. The applications will be forwarded to the relevant political parties.

In May, several candidates were interviewed for the posts, before differences between lawmakers aligned to Jubilee and the Opposition over the list of nominees led to delay and eventual cancellation of the whole process.

Notable nominees from Jubilee who had been interviewed include former Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo, former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua and former Mandera North MP Mohammed Adan. 

Jubilee party chairman Nelson Dzuya, former Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi, EALA member Abubakar Ogle, ex- Embu Speaker  Justus Mate  and former Bomet Senate aspirant Stacey Chepkemoi are others who are also expected to apply afresh for the posts.

Others are Irene Masit, Justin Nthiiri, Florence Sergon, Justus Mate and Pius Ewoton.

Canon Naomi Waqo who had earlier been nominated by Jubilee party for the EALA post, was nominated to the Senate.

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale on Tuesday encouraged candidates from the Jubilee party who had been interviewed for the same posts to reapply, noting that they will be considered in the new-line up the party’s leadership will come up with.

“As a Jubilee, we will come up with a new-line up after thorough considerations and consultation at parliamentary level and even with the party leaders President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto. Our members are free to apply,” he said

The Opposition in May settled on Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s son Kennedy Kalonzo, Ronald Ngeny, Abubakar Zein and ODM elections board boss Judith Pareno. Ms Pareno has since been nominated to Senate.