Ole Kina furious after ODM rejects his election to PAC
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) yesterday rejected the election of Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina as chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC), warning that it would withdraw its membership in the committee.
ODM’s move communicated to Speaker Ken Lusaka by Minority Leader James Orengo, came barely a few hours after Senator Ole Kina celebrated his victory in an election that pitted him against his Kisii counterpart Sam Ongeri.
“I express and register dissatisfaction with the conduct and the outcome of the election the leadership of the County Public Accounts and Investigations Committee which were purportedly done today.
We intend to withdraw our membership from the said committee until an appropriate resolution can be made,” said the Siaya Senator.
During the election to replace Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang whose term ended, Ole Kina got five votes against Ongeri’s four, but sources indicate that ODM had the Kisii Senator as their preferred choice for the oversight committee.
ODM, whose majority members in the opposition of the House is guaranteed the seat, is reported to have persuaded Migori Senator Ochilo Ayacho to step down in favour of Ongeri.
However, according to sources, majority of the committee members felt that Ongeri may not have the energy to head the committee due to his age since members are sometimes required to sit for hours.
Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, who served in the committee in the last parliament was elected vice chairman taking over from Meru’s Mithika Lunturi
Ole Kina (pictured) protested the move by his party, saying some quarters were keen on not having him serve as the chair.
“I was democratically elected for the position but there are people who do not want me to serve it,” Ole Kina said and vowed to fight to keep his victory.
Senator Wamatangi of Jubilee was voted in overwhelmingly after his challenger, Murang’a’s Irungu Kan’gata failed to get a proposer to enable him hit the election to the end.
“I am honoured to have been elected as vice-chairperson of County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC). We (with Ole Kina) will discharge our duties fearlessly,” said Wamatangi.
