Trouble in Cord over Pan-African parliament nominee

ODM Nominated Senator Janet Ongera who was nominated to the Pan-African Parliament instead of Garissa Women Representative Shukran Gurre of Wiper Democratic Party. PHOTO/EMMA NZIOKA 

In Summary

• Ms Gurre was replaced by with Nominated Senator Janet Ongera
• The name of Ms Gurre, was mentioned prominently during debates to adopt the nominations in both Houses

By JEREMIAH KIPLANG'AT
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A section of opposition MPs have threatened to quit the Cord coalition after one of them was removed from Kenya's membership to Pan-African Parliament.

The legislators from North Eastern said ODM replaced Garissa Women Representative Shukran Gurre of Wiper Democratic Party without consulting her or leaders from the region.

The MPs said the party had replaced Ms Gurre with Nominated Senator Janet Ongera without following due process.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament’s Media Centre, the MPs said the action had made them rethink their loyalty to the opposition party.

Flanked by five MPs, Ms Gurre Wednesday said she had been treated unfairly by the coalition despite coming from a marginalised community.

“I learnt that my name was replaced with that of Janet Ongera after I came back from South Africa where I was told I could not be sworn in to become a Pan African member. There was no communication to me or the House to this effect. It beats logic that a resolution passed in the National Assembly can be overturned elsewhere,” said Ms Gurre.

“This is unfair. We will not let this to happen. The coalition has not treated her with the dignity she deserves,” said Abdullahi Diriye.

The National Assembly and Senate engaged in a verbal exchange over the nominees to the continental parliament before the five names were finally picked.

The Houses agreed on Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi, URP), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi, TNA), Millie Odhiambo (Homabay, ODM), Senator Janet Ongera (Nominated, ODM) and Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet, URP)

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However, the name of Ms Gurre, was mentioned prominently during debates to adopt the nominations in both Houses with the Wiper Democratic Movement saying the Cord coalition had failed to consider appointing one of its members to the African Parliament.

“I proposed the change to the initial list to include Ms Gurre instead of Ms Ongera and the House agreed to the changes. But we are surprised Ms Gurre has been put in such an embarrassing situation. We want answers on this,” said Wajir Women Representative Fatuma Ibrahim.

“It was resolved that since both Millie and Janet come from the same region and the same party, I replace Janet Ongera because I represent the youth, and the pastoral communities,” said Ms Gurre.