THE National Assembly Powers and Privileges Committee has recommended the dissolution of the Public Accounts Committee.
However, nominated MP Zuleikha Hassan recorded a dissenting view, claiming that dissolution may be construed as vilifying members on unsubstantiated allegations.
The committee, chaired by Kuresoi North MP Moses Cheboi, has directed the Majority leader, who chairs the House Nominating Committee, to nominate new members within seven days, pending approval by the House.
House Speaker Justin Muturi directed the Privileges committee to inquire into the matter and present a report within 21 days.
This came after the Majority leader sought to know whether the members had violated the their privilege and conduct following allegations of corruption.
However, the Privileges committee has recommended that PAC chairman Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i), members Ahmed Abbas (Ijara), James Bett (Kesses), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), and Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes) be barred from the committee when it is reconstituted.
Consequently, the committee wants the House to dismiss the secret tape recording made by Ababu that captured the committee members, including him and ODM leader Raila Odinga, discussing the alleged bribery claims.
The recording captured an MP claiming that they received bribes from Defence PS Mutea Iringo to influence the committee’s findings on Sh2.8 billion in confidential expenditure in the Office of the President.
The committee made the decision after the PAC members failed to substantiate the corruption allegations they had made against their colleagues within the period they were required to do so under the Standing Orders.
Following their failure to substantiate the corruption allegations, the committee wants the members reprimanded.
“The House resolves to demand an apology at the Bar from the members who . . . made claims resulting in imputing improper motive against their colleagues in the meeting of the PAC of 26th February 2015. The House resolves that the Speaker reprimands, at the Bar, the members mentioned,” the report says.
It also wants Ababu, Omondi, and Arama, who has since been dewhipped from the committee, to apologise for “their contemptuous conduct of discussing in the media matters related to the inquiry”.
Those who fail to do so risk suspension from the House and committee business for four days, including the day of suspension.
The matters relate to the claims of breach of privilege and Code of Conduct even after the Speaker had issued a ruling against doing so.
The committee has also recommended that the Privileges committee members and the co-opted members who served in the committee during the inquiry should not be considered in the re-constitution of the PAC so as not to benefit from the recommendation to dissolve the PAC.