•Nairobi county assembly has around 23 committees inclusive of the HBC which is chaired by the speaker.
•There is a sectoral committee for each corresponding County Executive Department headed by County Executive Committee members.
Image: MAUREEN KINYANJUI
Nairobi MCAs have begun electing chairpersons and vice chairpersons of various committees.
Mabitini MCA Wilfred Odalo was Friday elected the chairperson of the Nairobi county assembly Budget, Finance and Appropriation committee.
In the last assembly, he served as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC) for five years.
Speaking to the media, the ODM legislator said he was ready for the new task as he was elected unopposed.
"I'm overwhelmed by the level of trust and confidence the budget committee has in me. My main opponent dropped out and this shows how my colleagues trust me with the task," Odalo said.
He added that his track record in PAC spoke for itself and he will carry out the new task with honour.
Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura was elected PAC chair while his counterpart from California Hashim Kamau will lead the Public Investments Committee (PIC).
This is the Committee charged with interrogating the financial prudence of the County Government among several other related matters.
The House has already approved members designated to various Committees following a Motion moved by the Leader of Majority, Peter Imwatok on Thursday
County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng'ondi will chair the Powers and Privileges Committee.
Members of the House leadership will not sit in this 14-Member Committee.
Nairobi county assembly has around 23 committees inclusive of the HBC which is chaired by the speaker.
A large part of the assembly’s role in the law-making process happens in committees and much of its oversight over the executive is also done through committees, particularly the portfolio (sectoral) committees.
By the powers given to its Standing Orders, the assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions.
The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision.
There is a sectoral committee for each corresponding County Executive Department headed by County Executive Committee members.
The composition of committees reflects the numerical strength of parties represented in the assembly.
That committee will deliberate on bills covering the department of jurisdiction and scrutinise and report on its annual budget and strategic plan.
As the people's representatives, members of the committee determine whether county executive departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money responsibly.
As part of their oversight work, committees may do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether the government is delivering on its promises.
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, that report will be debated in a full sitting or plenary to allow other members of the house to engage with the content of the report.
Once the report has been debated, the assembly decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations or reject them.