PAC chairmanship battle heats up as opposing camps eye top seat

Members of the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are set to choose a new chairperson on Tuesday after refusing the nomination of Saboti MP Caleb Amisi to succeed John Mbadi.

The refusal to have Amisi succeed Mbadi who was appointed Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury has been attributed to alleged integrity concerns levelled against him by members of the committee.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a committee within the legislature whose role is to study public audits, invite cabinet secretaries, permanent secretaries or other ministry officials to the committee for questioning, and report on their findings after a government budget audit.

Members of President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza alliance who sit on the PAC are now eying the chairperson seat, claiming Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party is now in part of government, and therefore there is no longer a distinction between the majority and minority sides.

In law, the oversight committee is chaired by someone from the minority side under House Standing Orders. Its main mandate is to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure prudent use of public resources, transparency and accountability.

ODM's Central Management Committee last week proposed Amisi for the role of chairperson. Raila's Orange outfit has the majority of MPs in the Azimio coalition and holds the PAC position.

The 19 members of the committee were reportedly working to identify the ideal candidate for the position.

Three camps

While they rejected the youthful legislator, three distinct camps have since emerged on the committee, each proposing its preferred candidate for the coveted position.

National Treasury CS John Mbadi when he appeared before the National Assembly's Committee of Appointments on August 3, 2024. He was the former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. (Photo: National Assembly)

One camp is championing the promotion of Butere MP Tindi Mwale, the current vice-chairperson of the committee, while another is pushing for Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

Meanwhile, a third camp has emerged supporting Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, who had previously been nominated by the ODM panel to succeed Amisi as vice-chairperson of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture.

Soy MP David Kiplagat, who is reportedly eyeing the vice-chairperson slot, wants the Standing Orders reviewed to allow members of the majority party to also contest the position.

He argues that the inclusion of some ODM members in the Cabinet means there is no longer a clear distinction between the minority and majority parties.

According to the respective Standing Orders of the National Assembly and Senate, oversight committees are chaired by members of the minority party.

"If you look at the Standing Orders, it is clear that some members are banned from contesting the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship due to the perception that they belong to the majority," Kiplagat said.

"Now that we have dissolved the distinction between the majority and the minority, can we open up the positions to everyone? In our Constitution, we have a Parliament where all members perform oversight functions. Isn't it only fair that the Standing Orders be reviewed so that any member who wishes to contest the chairmanship or vice-chairmanship can do so?"

However, his Lugari counterpart Nabii Nabwera disagreed. "The Speaker of the National Assembly has addressed this subject of minority and majority parties numerous times, and he has not stated anything to the contrary. Indeed, there is a minority party in the House, of which I am a member," he argued.

A first-term MP told The Eastleigh Voice that the committee needs a leader with integrity and a proven track record, not someone with a tarnished reputation.

The chairperson of the committee, he said, should be someone above reproach who has the respect and trust of the public, stakeholders and MPs.

She described the committee as one of the most influential parliamentary oversight bodies.

"The chairmanship of the PAC is a highly coveted position, often seen as a strategic platform for enhancing political influence and oversight capabilities. We cannot allow just anyone to lead the committee," she said.