The decision by Nyamira County Assembly Deputy Speaker James Sabwengi to delay debating of an explosive Public Accounts and Investment committee report that was tabled on Tuesday has caused anxiety within the house.
According to a member of the committee who spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter, the report has implicated at least six County Executive Committee members of various corruption scandals.
Committee chairperson Ezra Mochiemo on the other hand accused Sabwengi of playing delay tactics, and blamed the house leadership of ‘playing politics’ with matters accountability.
“As chairperson, I served the Speaker’s office the copy two weeks ago. I am disappointed that a Deputy Speaker can pretend that he hasn’t gone through the report yet they have been in its possession,” he said.
“It’s wrong for the speaker’s office to play politics with crucial report that gives in depth details on matters accountability. I therefore disagree with his ruling that he should be given more time to study the report,” Mochiemo added.
Majority Leader Laban Masira questioned the independence of the speaker’s office and warned of any deliberate mutilation of the original report to favour the executive.
“We know the recommendations and we are aware that the office of the speaker is almost being compromised to favour the executive. We shall not allow any mutilation of the final report as appears in the copies already in possession of some of PAC members. We cannot also entertain any further delay in debating and subsequent adoption of the report,” he added.
Deputy Speaker James Sabwengi, who stood for speaker Joash Nyamoko who was away for official function, asked for more time to study the report before authorizing the debate.
Photo: Nyamira PAC chairman Ezra Mochiemo at a past function. He led a section of MCAs to question the decision by Deputy Speaker to postpone debate on a report on alleged embezzlement of funds by the executive. AMakori/Hivisasa.com