Chairman of the Senate ICT Committee,Gideon Moi.[Photo/Ebrutv]The Jubilee Party’s dominance in Parliament played out in the Senate yesterday, with the ruling outfit bagging nearly all committee leadership posts.
The only non-Jubilee member to win a position was Baringo Senator Gideon Moi although party Kanu supports Jubilee administration. He was elected as chairman of the Senate ICT Committee.
Moi, who in the 11th Parliament chaired the Energy committee, was elected unopposed, with Nominated Senator Harake Abshilo picked as vice chairman. Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina was elected unopposed as Energy committee chair.
He will be deputized by Nominated Senator Mary Seneta. Embu Senator Njeru Ndwiga was elected the chairperson of Agriculture with Samburu’s Lelegwe Ltumbesi as deputy.
The Lands and Environment committee will be chaired by Nyandarua Senator Mwangi Githiomi, who was elected unopposed. Nominated Senator Victor Prengei will be his deputy.
Trans Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito defeated Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni to clinch the chairmanship of the Health committee. Mbito’s vice chairperson will be Senator Ali Abdulahi (Wajir) who beat Senator Naomi Shionga.
Minority senators who vied for the positions of the vice-chairpersons were all defeated as Jubilee swept every position on offer. Addressing the media after the election, Senator Moi assured that his committee would work tirelessly to help transform the economy as stipulated in the Jubilee agenda.
He said failure to pass the Cyber Crime Bill and audit technology have derailed provision of ICT technology in rural areas, which he noted would be committee’s top agenda.
“As a committee, we are ready to offer what is expected of us”, said Moi.
The senator also refuted reports that he is interested in a Cabinet position in the Jubilee administration. “I have a role to serve the people of Baringo,” said Moi, adding that he would decline a Cabinet slot if he was to be offered one.