President William Ruto has tightened his grip on the August house if the parliamentary committee leadership is something to go by. The president’s allies have positioned themselves to chair committees that will be central to championing the Kenya Kwanza agenda in parliament.

Jackson Mandago who was Governor and now senator of the president’s home county of Uasin Gishu, was elected the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health and will be deputised by Nominated Senator Mariam Omar Sheikh.

Another key ally, Senator Ali Roba of Mandera who also doubles up as the party leader of United Democratic Movement  (UDM) was elected chair of the influential finance committee. Ali Roba who had already served two terms as Mandera governor decamped from Azimio-OKA and signed a post election pact with Kenya kwanza will be deputized by  Senator Tabitha Mutinda.

The Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) will be chaired by the youthful Trans-nzoia senator Allan Chesang, also a close ally of President Ruto. Hon Chesang will be deputised by Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.

Murang’a Senator Joseph Nyutu was elected to chair the Committee on Education and he will be assisted by Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko while Senator Wamatinga Wahome (Nyeri) will lead the Energy Committee and Nominated Senator Veronicah Nduati Maina who is also the UDA Secretary General will be Vice Chair.

Bomet Senator Hillary Kiprotich Sigei, who was one of the lawyers in Ruto’s defense at the Supreme Court, will serve as the chairman of the Justice Legal And Human Rights Committee. He will be deputised by Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera.

Other committee leaders include Kirinyaga Senator James Murango who was elected to chair the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries with Senator Alexander Mundigi Munyi (Embu) as his deputy.

Senator Sheikh Mohamed Abass (Wajir) was elected to chair the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations while Nominated Senator Rosalinda Tuya (Nominated) was picked as the Vice Chair.