Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was finally removed as the chairman of the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) of the National Assembly, as the purge against former DP Rigathi Gachagua allied MPs from the leadership of the House committees took shape.
This came as the reality of the ‘broad-based’ government consummated by President William Ruto and Mr Raila Odinga through a cooperation agreement entered into on March 7, 2025, manifested.
The changes in BAC mean that it will be the first time since the new constitution came into force in 2010, for an MP outside the ruling party or coalition to chair the committee that is critical in shaping the country’s fiscal policy.
The unanimous election of Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi to replace Mr Nyoro at BAC, who has been at the helm for two and half years, followed a carefully worked script hatched by the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio that saw Mr Gachagua allied MPs removed from the leadership of the House committee.
“I thank the broad-based government for bestowing trust in me to lead this critical committee. I assure you that I will do my best to ensure fair, equitable, and transparent allocation of national resources to all parts of this country,” Mr Atandi said in his acceptance speech.
Mr Nyoro had been considered President Ruto’s “very close” ally immediately the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed power that saw his name mentioned among those likely to be the President’s running mate in the 2027 general elections.
However, his shiny star drastically dimmed after he failed to take a position on the impeachment of DP Gachagua at the time the President needed him most, a middle ground that he still holds to date.
Mr Nyoro is among the MPs who skipped the House sitting on October 8, 2024, as it voted on the Gachagua impeachment.
Standing Order 178 of the National Assembly Standing Orders provides guidance on the leadership of the House Committees for instance, departmental committees elect their chairpersons and vice chairpersons from among their respective members.
This means that any member of the respective departmental committee whether from a parliamentary party forming the government or not, can chair or deputize the committees.
However, the Standing Order is specific on who chairs or deputizes the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Public Investments Committees (PICs), and the Committee on Implementation (CoI).
The Standing Order states that members of PAC, PICs, and SFAC shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the committees from a party other than a parliamentary party forming the national government.
It goes on to state that the members of the Special Fund Accounts Committee (SFAC) shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from amongst independent members nominated to the committee or the members of the committee nominated from a party other than a parliamentary party forming the national government.
The committees’ leadership changes also saw Gachagua allied MPs- Ms Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri) and Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri) replaced as chairpersons of Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) chairperson and Regional Integration Committees respectively.
Ms Wamuchomba, who was moved to the less lucrative Members Services and Facilities committee, was replaced by her Runyenjes colleague Eric Karemba, who chaired the Labour committee, with Tiaty MP William Kamket as vice chairperson with Ms Muhia succeeded by nominated MP Irene Mayaka.
Embakasi MP James Gakuya, a key ally of former DP Gachagua, was also removed from the leadership of the Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives committee and he is expected to be succeeded by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali today (Thursday) in another round of committee elections.
Mr Gakuya was taken to the less lucrative Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library committee that rarely sits for its members to draw allowances. The elections will also see Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga elected to chair the Labour Committee.
On March 11, 2025, the House was united in castigating Mr Nyoro and his BAC members for using the committee to skew the allocation of resources in their constituencies.
The BAC members challenged Mr Atandi to ensure affirmative action and equity in the distribution of the national budget.
“Your job is cut out for you. The issue of sharing resources equitably has been contentious. We have been bashed by the House,” Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, the longest-serving member of BAC said.
“We need to establish a system to map out projects across the country and you will be shocked those who bashed us on the floor or the House have greatly benefited."
Mr Mulu spoke while making reference to the House leader of the majority Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu). Mr Ichung’wah accused Mr Nyoro of influencing budgetary allocations to favour select regions, particularly his constituency.
“This House will not allow members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to allocate money only to their constituencies while the rest of the country suffers,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
The members of the BAC also endorsed Endebase MP Dr Robert Pukose as Mr Atandi’s deputy, replacing Teso South MP Mary Emase who was de-whipped from the committee.
Other than purging the Gachagua allied committee chairs, there were also changes in the audit committees- Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Public Investment Committees (PIC), Special Funds Committee (SFC), and the Committee on Implementation (CoI).
For instance, Butere MP Tindi Mwale beat his Rarieda colleague Dr Otiende Amollo for the PAC chairperson and will be deputised by Garissa County Woman MP Amina Udgoon, who beat her Funyula colleague Dr Wilberforce Oundo.
PIC- Commercial Affairs and Energy has retained Pokot South MP David Pkosing as its chairperson with Turkana South MP Dr John Ariko as his vice chairperson.
“For record purposes, the Pokot and Turkanas are very close people. We may have some problems but we hope there will be peace somehow," said Mr Pkosing after Laikipia North MP Saraha Korere challenged the Pokots and the Turkana communities for a truce after years of conflict among them.
“I believe this is the beginning of cohesion and integration between Turkanas and Pokots," Ms Korere said.
Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami also retained his seat at the PIC on Governance and Education committee with Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi elected as his vice-chairperson.
"We have had a lot of issues. Moi University is now back on its feet. We sent them to EACC and we hope somebody will pay for the mess visited on the premier university," Mr Wamboka said in his acceptance speech.
Navakholo MP Emanuel Wangwe retained his position as chairman of PIC on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture.
The elections yesterday also saw Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong'a and his Gichugu colleague Robert Gichimu retain their positions as chairperson and vice chairperson of the National Assembly’s Delegated Legislation Committee after they were re-elected unopposed.
