Butere MP Hon. Nicholas Mwale was elected Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

Butere MP Hon. Nicholas Mwale was elected Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

Butere MP Hon. Nicholas Scott Tindi Mwale has been elected Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), defeating his closest challenger, Rarieda MP Hon. (Dr.) Paul Otiende Amollo. 

In the election held at Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings, Presiding clerk Florence Atenyo-Bonyo, Director of Audit and Appropriations and General Purpose Committees, declared that Hon. Mwale garnered nine (9) votes against Amollo’s six (6) in the race that had only attracted two candidates.

Mwale, who previously served as the committee’s Vice Chairperson, had been acting as Chairperson for the past six months following the departure of nominated MP Hon. John Mbadi. 

Mbadi vacated the position after he was appointed Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning by President William Ruto in July 2024.

In the same election, Garissa Woman Representative Amina Siyad Udgoon was elected Vice Chairperson, securing 11 votes against Funyula MP Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo, who received four (4).

In his acceptance speech, Mwale expressed gratitude to committee members for entrusting him with the leadership role, promising to strengthen the committee’s oversight of public funds.

“On November 3, 2022, we convened in Room 9 of the main Parliament Buildings and elected Hon. John Mbadi as Chairperson, with myself as his deputy. I recall stating then that leadership within this committee is not about titles but about our collective responsibility to uphold accountability," Mwale said.

He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the PAC remains an effective watchdog on government spending.

“We have worked together over the past six months examining audited financial statements of government ministries, departments, and agencies. Now that the committee is fully constituted, we have the opportunity to be more vibrant, ensuring that accounting officers uphold transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds,” he added.

In a concession Speech, Hon. Otiende thanked the members who backed his candidature.

Newly elected Vice Chairperson Amina Siyad Udgoon expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her by committee members, emphasizing the significance of her election as a woman in a key leadership position.

“I am truly honoured by the trust you have placed in me. It is remarkable that I, as a woman, have risen to this leadership position within PAC. I promise to serve diligently and with the utmost respect for the role entrusted to me,” she said.

Udgoon, who has been a member of PAC for two years, noted the significance of breaking barriers.

“When I first joined, I was the only woman on the committee. Today, I have been elected Vice Chairperson, and I deeply appreciate this milestone. I will work closely with the Chairperson and all members to ensure we deliver on our mandate,” she added.

The Public Accounts Committee is a crucial parliamentary watchdog, tasked with scrutinizing government expenditure and ensuring public funds are used prudently.

Other members of the committee include Hon. Mohamed Aden Adow (Wajir South), Hon. Nabii Nabwera Daraja (Lugari), Hon. Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Hon. Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West), Hon. Marianne Jebet Kitany (Aldai), Hon. Gabriel Gathuka Kagombe (Gatundu South), Hon. Victor Kipngetich Koech (Chepalungu), Hon. Geoffrey Kariuki Kiringa Ruku (Mbeere North), Hon. (Dr.) Edwin Mugo Gichuki (Mathioya), Hon. Joseph Namuar Emathe (Turkana Central), and Hon. Yakub Adow Kuno (Bura).