Jubilee, CORD agree on six MPs to join new look PAC, Eseli replaces Namwamba

NAIROBI: Rival coalitions met early Tuesday to reconstitute the membership of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Jubilee and Coalition for Reform and Democracy MPs agreed to have six new members fill the vacancies that had been left open with the ban on five MPs following failure to back up allegations of bribery and extortion; and the de-whipping of one opposition MP.

The new additions to the 27-member committee are Kanini Kega (Kieni) and David Bowen (Marakwet East) from Jubilee, while those from CORD are Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Abdikadir Aden (Balambala), Eseli Simiyu (Tongareni), and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda).

Mr Kega is replacing Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), while Mr Bowen is Kesses MP James Bett's replacement.

A well-placed source in the meeting of the Committee of Selection, told The Standard that Kega agreed to step down from the Energy and Communication Committee to create space for Mbarire, while Bowen did the same from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to allow Bett to come in.

CORD too played the same maths by having Bosire replace Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West) who are from the Kisii community and Abdikadir comes in for Abass Ahmed (Ijara) because they are from the same county.

Eseli replaces Ababu Namwamba (Budalang'i). They come from the larger Luhya community. And Gumbo will step in for Anyanga, as they are from the same region.

The Committee last night submitted the names to the House Business Committee for adoption, and is today expected to have the new-look PAC approved in the House.