Shock Shake-Up: Raila Allies Take Over Powerful House Committees After Deal With Ruto!
Allies of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are celebrating major wins just days after President William Ruto sealed a political agreement with their leader.
The newly formed alliance between Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has already reshaped the political landscape, granting ODM members influential roles in key parliamentary committees.
As part of the agreement, ODM legislators have secured top leadership positions, including:
- Samuel Atandi – Chair, Budget Committee
- James Nyikal – Chair, Health Committee
- Bernard Shinyali – Chair, Trade Committee
- Irene Mayaka – Chair, Regional Integration Committee
- Emmanuel Wangwe – Chair, Public Investments Committee on Social Services and Agriculture
- Eve Obara – Vice Chair, Education Committee
- Tindi Mwale – Chair, Public Accounts Committee
- John Ariko Namoit – Vice Chair, Public Investments Committee on Energy and Commercial Affairs
- Charles Ongondo Were – Vice Chair, National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee
Atandi, who secured the Budget Committee leadership unopposed, replaced Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. Meanwhile, MP James Nyikal took over the Health Committee chair from Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who was reassigned but retained his seat on the committee.
In a tightly contested race, Butere MP Tindi Mwale defeated Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo by nine votes to six to lead the Public Accounts Committee.
To accommodate ODM’s rising influence, Kenya Kwanza leaders strategically removed allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from key positions.
While the power-sharing deal has been embraced by supporters of both Ruto and Raila, it has drawn backlash from opposition factions.
During the signing of the pact, Ruto and Raila urged leaders to set aside political differences and work together for national unity. They emphasized that Kenya’s progress has long been hindered by divisive politics and regional marginalization.
“For our country to achieve its true potential, we must abandon outdated rivalries and foster an inclusive vision for the future,” they declared.
