Who'll redeem Kenya’s discredited Public Accounts Committee?

NAIROBI: Members of the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will elect their leaders this morning as the watchdog seeks to regain public confidence in the wake of corruption allegations that forced dissolution of the previous team.

The 26-member committee was reconstituted following an internal parliamentary investigation that saw six past members banned from reappointment.

The battle for the chairmanship of PAC, traditionally held by the Opposition, has caused friction within the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) as Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Moses Wetang'ula's Ford Kenya tussle for the position. Those vying for the post are ODM chairman and Suba MP John Mbadi, Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda, ODM), Abdikadir Aden (Balambala, ODM) and Ford Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren).

The election of the chairman and the deputy is seen as the first move in redeeming the committee's tainted image following bribery claims being probed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Apart from the 26 members who served in the PAC, EACC also wants to question 29 members of the Agriculture committee, which was accused of receiving bribes from former managers of Mumias Sugar Company during an investigation into illegal activities in the sugar sector.

PAC, which is ironically tasked with oversight of public institutions to ensure financial prudence, was rocked by graft claims that prompted an unprecedented probe by the House Powers and Privileges committee.

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Parliament was forced to act by banning Chairman Ababu Namwamba (Budalang'i), his deputy Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), Ahmed Abbas (Ijara), James Bett (Kesses), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike) after the disciplinary committee found them culpable of breaching the privileges of the House. The graft allegations were, however, not substantiated, forcing the House to urge those who made the allegations to apologise.

Minority Leader Francis Nyenze said though the allegations were not proven, the image of the committee remained tainted. "This committee must, like the proverbial Ceaser's wife, be seen to be beyond reproach now. Its public image must be redeemed," said Mr Nyenze.

COMMON POSITION

Cord leader Raila Odinga, through his Director of Communication Dennis Onyango, said the coalition's leadership did not wish to meddle in the affairs of the committee.

"We believe that whoever, among the four, is given the task will be able to handle the task. We have confidence in them all," said Mr Raila.

Nyenze said CORD did not have a common position on who to elect.

"We have left it to members who sit in the committee to decide. They are under no pressure to elect any of the candidates. It is their choice to make as long as the seat is held by CORD," the Kitui West MP said.

The four candidates were Monday engaged in intense lobbying ahead of today's vote.

A source within CORD, who sits in the committee, told The Standard members were still divided on who to support, with some drumming support for Mr Mbadi, by virtue of being the ODM chairman.

"That position is traditionally for the Opposition leader, and since the CORD leader is not in office and the Minority Leader is not in it, then the ODM chairman is seen as the best person to hold it," he said, declining to be named to avoid being seen as campaigning for the Suba MP.

But other sources indicated Mbadi's chairmanship of the ODM could be his undoing, as they argue he will not have enough time to commit himself to the committee's duties but Mbadi said previous holders of that position have always been officials of their respective parties.

"Jaramogi (Odinga) was a party boss, so was Kibaki (Mwai), Wamalwa (Kijana) and even President Uhuru Kenyatta was Kanu chairman. My being ODM chairman is a plus. Besides, I have the professional background for the job," he said.

Mr Abdikadir, who the source indicated enjoys the support of some Jubilee MPs in the committee, seems to be at a disadvantage as some argue it would be wrong to give the chairman of the two watchdog teams to MPs from the same region. Eldas MP Adan Keynan chairs the Public Investment Committee.

"We'll subject ourselves to members and they will elect whoever they feel is best," said Gumbo.

Eseli and Abdikadir did not respond to our calls.