Kenya Kwanza settles on 15 ex-legislators for EALA membership
President William Ruto’s led coalition Kenya Kwanza has nominated 15 politicians for membership in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Among those selected include former Nominated MP David Sankok, former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar, and former Mbalambala, and EALA MP Abdikadir Aden.
Other known names on the list include former Nandi Women Representative Zipporah Kering, Former United Republican Party (URP) Secretary General Fredrick Muteti (Makueni), Nairobi lawyer Okengo Nyambane who quit the Kisii gubernatorial race and Former Nominated Senator Falhada Dekow.
Former Saboti constituency aspirant Jonas Kuko, former Igembe Central MP Cyprian Kubai, former WestPokot Women Rep Lilian Cheptoo are also battling it out for the EALA slots.
Others include Anne Too (Kericho), Rebecca Merikeju (Turkana), Godfrey Maina Karobia (Muranga), Yasser Ali Sheikh (Mombasa) and Salim Mohammed Busidy (Lamu) have also been listed.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, is among six candidates the ODM party has settled on for the position.
The party has also nominated Mombasa businessman, Suleiman Shahbal, Wajir’s Mohammed Diriye, Timothy Bosire (Nyamira), Beatrice Askul (Turkana) and Justus Kizito (Kakamega).
The 15 Kenya Kwanza nominees plus the six from ODM will be presented to the National Assembly joint Committee on the election of the EALA for vetting and approval.
If approved, the 21 will compete intensely for the nine available slots in the Arusha-based Assembly.
Other political parties including KANU and Wiper have indicated interest to present their chosen nominees for the EALA post.
Even so only five from Kenya Kwanza and four from Azimio La Umoja—will be chosen to serve in Arusha.
Political parties have until today Wednesday at 9 a.m. to submit the names of the applicants they prefer as their nominees, with nominations taking place the same day at county hall.
A KANU insider claimed that while the party’s leader, Gideon Moi, is also interested in the ticket, the majority are endorsing KANU Secretary General Nick Salat, who has been out of the political picture for many years.
The nominees will be voted through the secret ballot on November 17.