MPs disband budget committee

The budget committee of the National Assembly has been disbanded. This is the second time legislators have rejected the 51 members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee over a Sh3 billion special allocation.

Last month, 133 MPs voted against 63 as a result of the revelation that the committee members had engineered the allocation of the Sh3 billion under a special arrangement to their constituencies. Speaker Justin Muturi was forced to rule that the Liaison Committee, which comprises chairpersons of House committees, takes over all functions of the committee.

The revelation angered the legislators, who launched a scathing attack on the Mbeere South MP Mutava Musyimi-led committee, which even declined to increase county allocation by Sh7.7 billion and denied senators Sh1 billion for oversight over counties.

Yesterday during a speaker's kamukunji, the lawmakers canvassed on the matter spearheaded by Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) and were unanimous that that entire membership of the Standing Committee be replaced.

Sources privy to the meeting proceedings confirmed that the  matters relating to the embattled committee took centre-stage as lawmakers vented their anger at its members for advancing their selfish interests instead of discharging their constitutional mandate.

"It was agreed that all members be replaced. These people duped us by awarding themselves Sh60million each in the last budget following a deal they struck with the President and Treasury," said an MP from Western. He added: "We want fresh blood, those who will be dedicated to their duty."