UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama Resigns

He will be required to appear before the PSC which will determine his suitability for the non-MP Commissioner post.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Feb 17, 2023 - 13:50 Updated: Feb 17, 2023 - 13:50
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UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama Resigns
Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama. /NAIROBI NEWS

Former Machakos senator, Johnson Muthama has resigned as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairperson.

Muthama stepped down from his post after he was nominated to become a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

He will be required to appear before the PSC which will determine his suitability for the non-MP Commissioner post.

UDA Chairperson Johnstone Muthama and President William Ruto during a campaign rally. /TWITTER

"I have handed over my resignation to the party headquarters. What I'm doing right now is handing over to the party secretariat," Muthama explained.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) recommended Muthama for the commissioner post after an interview process, with eight other individuals on December 30, 2022.

Muthama announced that he submitted his resignation to the party headquarters in order to be vetted by the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

His nomination was received by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and sent to the committee which is headed by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei.

If he is approved, Muthama will join the commission as a non-member of parliament representing the public for five years, joining seven other members who were, in November 2022, sworn in by the senate. He will succeed Samuel Chepkonga, who resigned from the commission to reclaim his Ainabkoi parliamentary seat.

The seven other members include Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni of the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party, Mavoko Member of Parliament (MP)Patrick Makau of the Wiper party, and Nominated Senator Joyce Korir of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Others include Likoni MP Mishi Mboko of the ODM party, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali of the UDA party, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau of the UDA party, and Laikipia Senator John Kinyua of the UDA party.

The PSC is responsible for providing services and facilities necessary for the effective functioning of the Parliament and ensuring the welfare of its members and staff. It is made up of eleven members, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, and nine other members appointed by the President.

The Commission is headed by a Chairperson who is elected by the members of the Commission. Its functions include:

  1. Appointing and regulating the terms and conditions of service of Parliamentary Service staff.
  2. Managing the financial resources allocated to the Parliament.
  3. Providing the necessary facilities and services for the functioning of the Parliament.
  4. Ensuring the welfare of members and staff of the Parliament.
  5. Developing and implementing programs for the training and capacity building of the Members of Parliament.
  6. Developing and implementing programs for the public understanding of the work of Parliament.

Overall, the PSC plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective functioning of the Parliament of Kenya and promoting good governance in the country.

In the August 9, 2022, general elections, Muthama finished third in his bid to become Machakos Governor with 37,980 votes behind former State House Chief of Staff, Nzioka Waita with 129,181 votes and Wavinya Ndeti, who clinched the seat with 226,609 votes. 

Machakos Governor, Wavinya Ndeti. /STANDARD DIGITAL