House Integrity Raises Eyebrows

Muturi is worried about bribery allegations facing Parliamentary Committees and individual Members of Parliament.

Muturi says Members of Parliament must urgently deal with perceptions that MPs are rent seekers and extortionists who are bribed to influence the outcome of matters before respective committees.

Muturi was speaking during a leadership forum that brings together the National Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of House Committees and their deputies, the Parliamentary Service Commission, majority leader and his deputy, minority leader and his deputy as well as Whips of the two sides of the House.

In a no hold barred discussion, the forum asked House Committees to expeditiously probe matters before them and not favour or be seen to be with cozy with the individuals or heads of public bodies that they are investigating.

NAMWAMBA'S SURVIVAL

The sentiments come just a day after Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Ababu Namwamba survived a motion of no-confidence.

Namwamba, who is also the Budalangi Member of Parliament, was under siege from members of PAC over alleged bribery cases.

The members of the committee failed to attain the minimum threshold to oust the outspoken legislator.

Out of the 27 members, 14 voted against the motion while 13 in support of the motion.

Namwamba has been accused of receiving bribes as the chair of PAC, an issue that touches on his integrity as the chair of the committee.

As of Wednesday, 15 out of the 27 members of the committee wanted the youthful Namwamba ousted over his alleged conduct.

The members, among them three from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), wanted Namwamba out.

Lagdera lawmaker Mohammed Shidiye insisted that Namwamba must be fired and charged with taking bribes.

By Maureen Murimi and Francis Gachuri