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An attempt by Raila Odinga’s Azimio-One Kenya to sweep clean the leadership positions of two oversight committees in the Senate was thwarted yesterday by Kenya Kwanza, owing to the absence of some Azimio members during election.

This cleared the way for a member of Kenya Kwanza to sail through unopposed as the vice-chairperson of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

During the elections, Moses Otieno Kajwang’ (Homa Bay) was elected chairperson of the County Public Accounts Committee. Kajwang’, who was elected unopposed, is making a second stint at the Senate oversight committee that has now been split into two, with the county investment and special funds committee taking a huge chunk of its mandate.

In his acceptance speech, Kajwang’ said they have a huge task in their hands to oversight the 47 counties, but promised to adopt a different strategy in making sure devolved funds are fully accounted for.

“We have a huge problem in our counties, especially on pending bills; we will do our job according to the law. We have no intention of making governors love us, it’s not about them but about the people,” Kajwang said.

“Even on the issue of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), we want to know how the transfer happened; what assets and liabilities they left behind; things are not adding up,” Kajwang’ added.

The senator said they would focus on ensuring the recommendations made by the committee in the past are implemented.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who was also elected unanimously, will deputise Kajwang’. In his acceptance speech, Cherargei said they would conduct their activities without fear or favour.

“Even those governors who failed to come here last time, we will still invite them here. Even if they are out of office, they can still be invited here to be probed,” he said.

Cherargei, a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, would have battled it out with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had he (Sifuna)got a seconder during the elections.

Sifuna was nominated by Kajwang’ but failed to get a seconder since the majority of members at the time were from Kenya Kwanza. House rules state that if a candidate is nominated and fails to get a seconder, the nomination is taken to be invalid and cannot proceed.

That is how Sifuna lost to Cherargei.

While giving his inaugural speech, Sifuna, who is a member of the committee, claimed the defunct NMS, which was overseeing some Nairobi County functions, has left behind a Sh19 billion pending bill.

Give the answers

He asked the Senate County Public Accounts Committee to investigate the matter and give Nairobians answers as to why there is such a huge pending bill.

“I have been going through the accounts of Nairobi County, and I am shocked to learn that in the past two years alone, the NMS left a debt of Sh19 billion,” he said.

Quoting Article 226 of the Constitution, Okiya Omtatah (Busia), who was propelled to national fame as a rights defender through public-spirited litigation, said implementation of the recommendations of the committee is at the heart of good governance. He said that neither death nor exit from office absolves a public officer from accountability, as provided for in the Constitution.

“Responsibility for mismanagement does not end with the death of a public officer. Some people think they cease being answerable once they leave office,” he said.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was also elected unanimously to chair the sister committee of the County Investment and Special Funds and will be deputised by his Kisumu counterpart, Prof Tom Ojienda.

Osotsi said the new committee has a huge mandate to oversight all investments done in counties and the special funds that are formed in the devolved units.

“Counties are engaging in various investments and forming special funds. This committee will ensure they engage prudently, according to the law. We will offer servant leadership and make sure the investments benefit wananchi,” said Ososti.

Ojienda, on his part, said the committee could even have a bigger mandate than the CPAC committee for they will involve themselves also in ongoing projects.

Power to summon

“Public-private partnerships and investment ventures in the counties run into billions of shillings and need proper oversight. This committee has the powers to summon the governors to explain the utilisation of the own-source revenues,” said Ojienda.

In another election, Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire was elected to chair the Committee on Delegated Legislation. Mr Mo Fire garnered five votes against Mohamed Faki’s (Mombasa) three.

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana was elected vice-chairperson of the committee. He also garnered five votes against three of his main challenger, Agnes Muthama (Machakos).