Two House committees to probe railway tender

By MOSES NJAGIH

NAIROBI, KENYA: The intrigues over Parliament’s probe into the multi-billion Standard Gauge Railway tender have intensified with two committees of the National Assembly insisting on conducting independent and parallel investigations.

Both the Public Investment Committee (PIC) and the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure claimed independent jurisdiction to conduct investigations into the controversial tender, going against a ruling made in Parliament that the matter be handled by the watchdog committee.

Despite the fact that the committees have summoned the same people as they attempt to unearth possible malpractice in the tendering process, the chairmen of the two committees yesterday maintained that there would be no conflict or duplication of duties.

 “We have consulted, with the help of the Speaker, who has given us guidance through the Standing Orders. We are going to carry on with our mandate and allow PIC to do its work,” said Transport committee Chairman Maina Kamanda.

 value for money

Kamanda fought off allegations of infighting between members of the two committees, over who has the jurisdiction to investigate the matter.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi had initially directed that the matter be investigated by the PIC, chaired by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, saying that since the matter in question was on value for money for an investment by a State body, the watchdog committee was the relevant organ for the probe.

But Kamanda and his committee have continued with their probe, which was necessitated by the first question raised in the House by Nyali MP Hezron Bollo over the tender.

A similar question over the tender was later raised, prompting Muturi to rule that since the issues being raised were similar, the PIC should take over the matter.

Muturi had summoned the chairmen of the two committees yesterday, in what was seen as an effort to find a truce into the jurisdictional conflict.

But addressing the media after the meeting with the Speaker, both Muturi and Keynan said there were no between the two committees, insisting that they had resolved to undertake their respective duties as stipulated in the Standing Orders.