ODM MP Sam Atandi replaces Ndindi Nyoro as Budget Committee chair

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi has been elected unopposed as the chairperson of the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee.

He takes over from Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who neither defended his seat nor attended the election meeting.

Atandi was the only candidate who submitted his nomination papers before the deadline, making him the automatic winner.

According to parliamentary rules, when only one contender is nominated, the clerk officially declares them elected without a vote.

The presiding clerk confirmed receiving Atandi’s nomination forms, which were proposed by Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematia and seconded by Taveta MP Danson Mwashako.

"I declare Atandi as duly elected as chairperson and Endebess MP Robert Pukose as duly elected vice chairperson," the presiding clerk announced.

Pukose was also nominated for the position of vice chairperson by Kitui Central MP Mulu Makali and Atandi.

In his acceptance speech, Atandi, who is from the Orange Democratic Movement Party, thanked his colleagues for the opportunity and acknowledged the importance of the committee’s work.

"This is a demanding responsibility. I applaud the broad-based government. We have reached this point because of the broad-based government," he said.

He also expressed gratitude to his party leader, Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, crediting them for the idea of a broad-based government.

Atandi noted that the committee takes over at a time when there are growing concerns about the performance of the previous leadership. He pledged to ensure the fair distribution of national resources, emphasising that a balanced allocation is key to peace and stability.

"We know the map of the Republic of Kenya and understand that resource sharing affects peace and stability. We will ensure each county benefits from the resources entrusted to us," he said.

Pukose echoed Atandi’s sentiments, vowing to champion equity in budget allocations.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula last week directed all parliamentary committees to elect their Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons within seven days following their reconstitution.

This was after the House approved the new list of committee members on Wednesday after a prolonged delay that had stalled key legislative processes, including the processing of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Supplementary Budget II for the Financial Year 2024-2025.

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The delay was attributed to a political standoff between President Ruto's party and Raila's coalition, which had hampered the formation of the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), a crucial entity in budgetary matters.