Kenya: The National Assembly has approved 27 members to the Public Accounts Committee which had been dissolved following bribery and extortion allegations.
It took less than 15 minutes for the Majority Leader Aden Duale and Minority Leader Francis Nyenze to rally the lawmakers to back the list of 27, which includes 21 MPs from the previous team. As soon as the party leaders were done, the MPs pleaded with the Speaker Justin Muturi to put the matter to vote.
The new members are Abdikadir Aden (Balambala), Kanini Kega (Kieni), David Bowen (Marakwet East) Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Eseli Simiyu (Tongareni), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) Joseph Manje (Kajiado North), Jude Njomo (Kiambu), Joel Onyancha (Bomachoge), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Gonzi Rai (Kinango); Jackson Rop (Kipkelion West).
Others are Fathua Mahbub (Mandera), Julius Melly (Tinderet); Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), John Mbadi (Suba); Katatha Maweu (Kangundo); Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul); Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango); Alice Chae (Nyamira); Mwadime Andrew (Mwatate); Jessica Mbalu (Kibwezi East); Charles Geni (North Mugirango).
Duale said the onus was now on the new members to sit down and elect the chairman and vice chairman.
"We want them to rise above party politics and regional politics. We want them to make sure the people of Kenya get value for money in their taxes. They have no choice but to uphold the dignity of this House. Never again in the history of Kenya shall we hear of bribes of Sh5 million, Sh2 million and Sh10, or people recording their party leaders. We hope we will never form another committee to probe PAC members," said Duale
Nyenze said the new MPs should focus on oversight and avoid shady deals.
“This is a committee where the word corruption should never be heard of, it should above board,” said Nyenze.
He said the investigation by the Committee on Privileges which led to the dissolution of the earlier committee ought to be "a lesson that if you accuse your fellow MPs for corruption, you should be ready to prove it beyond reasonable doubt".
Nyenze said the five MPs who had been dropped from the committee were kicked out because of "breach of privilege".
The chairman of the key team is traditionally from the opposition. The MPs eyeing to succeed former Chair Ababu Namwamba are Eseli; Abdikadir; the ODM chairman Mbadi.
The politics is that the seat must go back to Busia County and to ODM. Eseli is from Ford Kenya, a partner in the CORD coalition.
ODM chairman John Mbadi who has been sitting in the committee says he is fit to lead the watchdog committee. Mbadi who stepped down for Ababu Namwamba at the beginning of the term of the House says he will not step down this time round.
The seat will have to go to an ODM MP from Western Kenya for political reasons now that Namwamba comes from that region. But so far, there is no direct fit to that criteria. Eseli wants the vote because he is he is from Western Kenya but he belongs to Ford Kenya, an affiliate party within CORD. Abdikadir belongs to ODM but he is from Garissa County in North Eastern Kenya. Mbadi is from Suba, Homa Bay County.
The committee will meet within seven days to pick the Chair.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join