- The County Public Accounts Committee and the County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee hold their elections this morning.
- This will pave the for the members to start inviting governors to answer audit queries.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGA
ODM leader Raila Odinga’s allies will on Tuesday face off in the election of the chairperson of key Senate oversight committees after the approval of the House.
The County Public Accounts Committee and the County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee hold their elections this morning.
This will pave the for the members to start inviting governors to answer audit queries.
In the 12th parliament, CPAC and CPISFC were joined together under County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).
However, it was split into two in the amended standing orders (House rules).
The Star has established Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang will face off for CPAC chairperson.
Sifuna has reportedly been picked by the ODM party after he surrendered the deputy minority whip position to Narok senator Ledama Olekina.
But Kajwang, who apparently enjoys the blessing of the majority of the members, is said to be seeking the senate after he lost out on the minority leader position and is also set to lose out as a member of the parliamentary service commission.
Kajwang has massive experience having served as the chair of the panel for two terms in the last senate.
On Monday, Sifuna reiterated that he has never been interested in being the chair of any committee, adding that he will still perform in any capacity.
“I am not interested in being the PAC chair. If any Senator wants to be the chair, I will support his bid. I am content being the Nairobi Senator and a member of any committee. Even if they want to place me under the catering committee,” said Sifuna.
The committee oversights billions of shillings sent to counties.
Whoever will be elected will serve in the committee alongside Samson Cherargei (Nandi), John Methu (Nyandarua), Mariam Omar (Nominated), Julius Mwenda (Meru), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Omtatah Okoiti (Busia).
Kenya Kwanza will likely produce vice chairpersons of the panels.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has been earmarked for the County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee while Oburu Oginga (Siaya) will represent the coalition in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
If elected, Osotsi will chair PIC and serve alongside Karungo Thangwa (Kiambu), Maureen Mutinda (Nominated), Miraj Abdullahi (nominated), Eddy Oketch (Migori), Ledama Olekina (Narok), Hamida, Kibwana (Nominated) and Tom Ojienda (Kisumu).
While supporting the motion to approve the members of the two Sessional committees, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei argued that there was a need to hold county governments accountable.
“What have we done with devolution for 10 years? In some places, the citizens will tell you that the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has done more than the county allocation funds."
"It looks like there has been competition on how to steal from the public, especially in our devolved unit. It looks like when the Council of Governors (CoG) meets, they ask each other: “How much have you stolen?” They do not ask: “How much have you done for your people?” posed Cherargei.
The Nandi lawmaker told the House that governors who decline to appear before the Senate will be frog marched and challenged the Inspector General (IG) of Police nominee, Japhet Koome, that some of these governors who refuse to appear, must be arrested.
“I want to inform all the governors that there is no option. They must appear before committees of this Senate once summoned. If they do not, we will not tire to summon them. I pray that one day, some of those who decline to appear before the Senate, will be frog-marched. There is no option because we are handling millions of Kenya shillings,” he said.
During the last Parliament, former Governor of Murang’a County Mwangi wa Iria and his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya refused to appear before the then County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).
“I am just sounding a warning to governors, especially the new ones, that there is no option, but to appear.”
Dan Maanzo (Makueni), while supporting the motion to set up the two crucial committees of the Houses said that for the last 10 years, counties have existed and received billions of shillings from Government coffers, adding that at the grassroots level, there is very little that can be associated with counties compared to the number of monies given.
“The CPAC, CPISFC and the Committee on Delegated Legislation are very important. Article 226 is clear on accounts and audits of public entities and the county is one of them. We should request the same from Kenyans. They should assist the Senate in oversight.”