Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang has retained his position as the chairman of the Senate county public accounts committee.
Kajwang was elected unopposed as the chairman of the powerful watchdog committee.
Taita Taveta Senator Johannes Mwaruma beat Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to become the vice chairperson of the committee.
Cherargei had been Kajwang’s deputy since 2022.
On Wednesday the Senate approved the reconstitution of all House committees.
Other members of the committee are Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Samburu), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) and Okongo Omogeni (Nyamira).
Kajwang expressed his appreciation to his colleagues for electing him for the second time in the current senate.
“Perhaps this is the strongest committee we have ever assembled. We have diversity,” Kajwang said.
“I register my appreciation for the trust you have in me. Time is clocking on us. We have until March 31 to conclude scrutinising the accounts of county governments,” he added.
For his part, Mwaruma thanked members for electing him and promised to help the chair deliver on its mandate.
“We have a big work to ensure that the money that is sent to counties does not go to the bottomless pit,” he said.
Kajwang said the senate will partner with CRA to rank county governments based on certain parameters such as the performance of own-source revenue.
Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi has retained the position as the chairperson of the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee.
Osotsi thanked the members of the panel for electing him as the chairman.
“I’m delighted that you have in your own wisdom seen that I should continue leading this committee, and the fact that you voted for me 100 per cent, I’m very grateful,” said Ososti.
He said that he would work tirelessly to clear any pending business.
Osotsi was elected unopposed. Migori senator Eddy Oketch was elected vice chair of the panel.
Oketch beat nominated senator Peris Tobiko in the race for vice chair. He got five votes against Tobiko’s three.
The other committee members are Agnes Muthama (Machakos), William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet), George Mbugua (nominated) and Beth Syengo (nominated).
By Star