Nasa Senators' Meeting to Oust Wetang'ula as Minority Leader Hit by Quorum Hitch

NASA-allied Senators on Monday held a parliamentary group meeting to officially remove Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula as Senate Minority Leader and nominate his Siaya counterpart James Orengo to the position.

The meeting, which was held at County Hall within Parliament buildings was however postponed after failing to raise the quorum.

Only Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) senators are pushing for Wetangula's ouster after Wiper party and Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC) declared support for Wetangula, the Ford Kenya leader.

Nevertheless, ODM has the numbers since 20 out of 28 opposition elected and nominated senators belong to ODM. Wiper has four, ANC three, while Ford Kenya has one – Wetang’ula.

The meeting came even as Nasa co-principals – Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula and Musalia Mudavadi are expected to co-chair a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday to rescue Wetang’ula.

Last week, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka approved Wetangula's removal, but suspended the move until Nasa presents the name of their new nominee.

ODM senators have accused the Ford Kenya leader of being condescending to alliance partners and colleagues.

Siaya senator James Orengo is being touted for the prestigious position over his firm and immense contribution towards the Nasa agenda.

“Mr Orengo was the natural Nasa leader in the Senate but Mr Wetang’ula rushed ahead of the coalition to nominate himself. ODM did not want to start war with Ford Kenya then because it required its support to deal with Jubilee,” an ODM senator told Daily Nation.