Oburu, Omogeni tussle for plum PSC position
A battle is brewing over who will represent the Senate Minority side in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) between Dr Oburu Oginga (Siaya) and Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira).
While senators drawn from the Opposition Coalition Azimio La Umoja settled on Nyamira lawmaker as its nominee, Oburu is protesting and wants the Azimio leader Raila Odinga to make the decision. On Wednesday, the lawmakers requested the House to adjourn early so that they could hold an informal session and settle on the names, especially on the oversight committees and the nominee to PSC.
A source who attended the meeting but sought anonymity said that the members agreed that Omogeni (pictured) should represent the coalition in PSC given that no member from Nyamira county had been picked to the House leadership at both the Senate and the National Assembly.
The senators led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) had prevailed upon Raila and Dr Oburu to step down in favour of Omogeni, a key ally of Raila.
“Let’s not over-emphasize this matter; our elder brother Oburu should leave the position to Senior Counsel Okong’o Omogeni to represent us in the commission. For a fact, Siaya county has already benefited in the National Assembly as the majority leader is Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi while Migori county has Minority whip held by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, we are clear on this,” Sifuna noted.
In the meeting held at the office of minority leader and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Senators insisted that in the coalition other regions that backed Raila’s candidature had benefited including Luo Nyanza, Coast and Ukambani regions while Gusii region had not benefited both at the National assembly and the Senate.
“Senator for Siaya county and our elder brother should step down and leave the position to Senator Okong’o Omogeni who is from the Gusii region as part of good work he has done to the coalition,” Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said.
However, Oburu opposed the suggestion saying that Raila should make the final decision on who between him and Omogeni will represent the senate in the commission.
“I will not step down for anyone but I will await the final decision of the party leader Raila Odinga, my name and that of senior counsel should be sent to him,” Oburu observed.
Instead, Oburu has been placed to represent the House in the Pan-African parliament.
