CORD POORLY PERFORMED IN PARLIAMENT 2015

The Opposition's performance in Parliament in 2015 was lacklustre, signalling weak leadership of the 141 Cord Coalition MPs.
Cord failed spectacularly in calling for impeachment of President Uhuru Kenyatta and sacking of Devolution CS Anne Waiguru — both nonstarters considered emblematic of the opposition's divisiveness.
Individually, Cord MPs introduced more bills than their Jubilee counterparts but their leaders failed to whip them and were unable to generate numbers to push their agenda.
Though the Standing Orders don't allow party-sponsored bills, Minority Leader Charles Nyenze did not present a single bill to the assembly.
Out of 57 bills introduced in the Assembly, 35 were brought by Majority Leader Aden Duale, the Government link in Parliament.
Cord MPs brought nine bills — two disowned by Coalition leadership — while Jubilee MPs brought seven private member bills.
The rest of the bills came from chairpersons of Budget, Finance and Justice and Legal Affairs committees.
In the Senate, while Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki brought one bill, Minority Leader and Cord co-principal Moses Wetang'ula brought none in 2015.
Fifteen bills were introduced in the Senate, five coming from committees, five from Cord senators and five from Jubilee, including Kindiki.
Even when Government-sponsored bills were presented to the House, most opposition MPs shied away from proposing amendments.
Several government-sponsored bills that critics said undermine the constitution were passed — while the Opposition watched.
But ODM chairman John Mbadi said the Opposition performed relatively well.
"We did better than Jubilee but we can do better. We faced challenges, including getting the numbers to counter Jubilee. However, we defeated the bills on NGOs, the ones muzzling the media and we raised the issue to deal with the draconian security bill," Mbadi told the Star.
Cord also faced challenges in Parliament due to "a Speaker who is not willing to give the opposition their say".
When Cord MPs showed their dissatisfaction, they staged walkouts to stop business due to lack of forum, instead of voting.
Since 2013, Cord MPs have walked out at least once a year, and then complained to the public.
Even when they exit, majority leader Duale has always raised a quorum, a minimum 50 MPs.
Several times, Cord leaders have failed to whip members to force a physical vote, instead of less certain acclamation.
Despite having 141 MPs, the Opposition has mostly failed to have 30 MPs in support of a physical vote when acclamation is uncertain.
Mbadi admitted Cord's legislative leadership is less than ideal.
"The opposition outside Parliament has done better in exposing corruption in government. This is mainly because our leadership outside is more experienced," Mbadi said.
The Opposition chairs and constitutes the majority of members of the watchdog Public Accounts and Public Investments committees.
The PAC was dissolved and reconstituted this year over claims of members' corruption.
"We started well, then government started interfering and diverted attention to portray us as fighting each other. We have seen watered-down reports due to interference," Mbadi said.