Azimio settles on senators who will lead its key teams

Azimio la Umoja coalition has settled on senators who will chair key oversight committees in the Senate. The Raila Odinga-led coalition has settled on Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ (left) to chair Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which was split from Public Investment Committee.

Kajwang’ will be making a comeback to the position he once held during the 3rd Senate when the committee was still under County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).

During his tenure as the chair, Kajwang’ tabled the report on the inquiry into the financial operations of Kiambu, Busia, Kwale, Tana River, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua, Migori, Kisumu, Samburu and Kericho County executives for the financial year 2013-14.

Equally, his committee looked into the financial operations of Bomet, Bungoma, Garissa, Isiolo, Kitui, Lamu, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Mombasa, Nyamira, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and Wajir County Executives for the financial year 2013-14.

Investment committee

People Daily has established that Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has been earmarked for County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee while Nyamira Senator Okong’o Mogeni will head the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Osotsi is a first time senator.

If the Senate approves the names, Kajwang’ will serve in the committee alongside Samson Cherargei (Nandi), John Methu (Nyandarua), Mariam Omar (Nominated), Julius Mwenda (Meru), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) and Omtatah Okoiti (Busia).

If approved, Osotsi will chair PIC and serve alongside Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Karungo Thangwa (Kiambu), Maureen Mutinda (Nominated), Miraj Abdullahi (nominated), Eddy Oketch (Migori), Ledama Olekina (Narok), Hamida, Kibwana (Nominated) and Tom Ojienda (Kisumu).

However, while the Minority party has given the duo their blessings, they must lobby the support of other Senators, given that to be a chair; the members of the committee must elect you.

“There are a lot of members who have expressed their interest to be chairs of the committees. However, remember the members of that committee must pick chairs. Those who want to chairs need to lobby their members so that they are elected within the committees,” said Kitui Senator Enock Wambua.

The Sessional committee is expected to execute the mandate of the Senate pursuant to the provisions of Article 96 (3), to exercise oversight over national revenue allocated to county governments.

Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga has been placed to represent the House in the Pan-African parliament.

Osotsi was initially eying PAC chair but switched positions when he learnt that the position could be earmarked for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Sifuna who had eyed the Senate Deputy Minority whip was dropped and his place taken by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.

To appease Sifuna and the sacrifices he has made for Azimio, the Minority House leadership has now placed him under PAC.

Yesterday, 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 contented being the Nairobi Senator and a member of any committee. Even if they want to place me under the catering committee,” said Sifuna.

Committees are a vital tool or organ in the working processes of Legislatures, without which, the proceedings of a Legislature could grind to a halt for the sheer volume of activities that would have to be considered at Plenary.