Bumula MP Jack Wamboka ousted as PIC chair over bribery claims
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 22, 2026The National Assembly has suspended Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka from chairing the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, pending investigations into claims raised against him.
Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei said the decision was necessary to protect public trust in the work of the committee while the inquiry continues.
“In order to safeguard public trust in the work of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education in the discharge of its mandate during the pendency of the inquiry, I am further persuaded to suspend the Honourable Jack Wanami Wamboka, MP, from chairing the committee during this period,” she said.
She stressed that the suspension does not stop other investigations by relevant law enforcement agencies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the conduct of the inquiry is not a bar to any other or further investigations into the matter by any other relevant law enforcement agency,” she added.
The committee has been at the centre of complaints from witnesses who appeared before it, with some accusing the chairperson of harassment and misconduct during proceedings. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had earlier written to Parliament raising concerns.
Minority to name chair
Shollei noted that under Standing Orders, the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education is a watchdog committee whose leadership is reserved for the Minority Party.
She directed the Leader of the Minority Party to nominate an interim chairperson by midday Thursday, April 23, 2026.
“Honourable members, under our standing orders, the committee is a watchdog committee whose chairing is reserved for the Minority Party for obvious reasons,” she said.
She added that the current Vice Chairperson, Boyd Were, who was recently sworn in as an MP, may not immediately take over full leadership due to limited parliamentary experience.
She said the committee may either allow the Vice Chairperson to preside over meetings or elect an interim chairperson from among its members.
At the same time, Shollei announced that three MPs – Samuel Chepkonga, Sarah Korere, and Robert Gìchimū – have been co-opted into the Committee on Powers and Privileges to support the ongoing inquiry. Chepkonga will chair the committee.
She said the House will await the final report before taking further action on the leadership of the committee.
The Speaker also directed that the inquiry be completed within the set timelines to ensure accountability and continuity in parliamentary oversight work.
Wamboka’s suspension comes as Parliament continues to handle other oversight issues involving public institutions, with MPs calling for stricter adherence to procedures and accountability in the use of public funds.