Cord nominates Khalwale to Finance Committee

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) has nominated KakamegaSenator Boni Khalwale to sit on the Finance Committee.

He replaces former Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula who lost his Senate seat after an election petition.

Khalwale (pictured) started off in the Senate on a low note after he was de-whipped by the Jubilee Coalition for supporting Cord in the election to committees yet his Amani Coalition was a partner in government.

Yesterday, Khalwale re-affirmed his commitment to work with like-minded parties.

Jubilee senators questioned Khalwale’s move, with some arguing that it went against the Constitution.

Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen sought Speaker Ekwe Ethuro’s direction on the shifting of alliances as was the case with Khalwale.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi protested the move, saying the law is very clear.

“According to the Political Parties Act, a member who advances the interests of another party violates the law and should face the consequences as  provided for by law,” he stated.

But Khalwale reminded Murungi that the consequence was in respect to the parties, not coalitions.

“The interest at stake had to do with the Cord coalition against that of the Jubilee coalition and the two were not parties,” he argued.

Ethuro came to Khalwale’s aid, saying a party can nominate a member from another party if it felt the member could make useful contributions to the committee.