The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts will continue to discharge its mandate effectively despite some of the opposition leaders joining the broad-based government.
President William Ruto appointed four ODM leaders into his broad-based government at the height of anti-government protests.
They are Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi.
Acting chairman of the PAC, Tindi Mwale, said the oversight role of Parliament must be strengthened, adding that it was not based on the political affiliation of MPs.
Mwale has been acting as chairman after former nominated MP John Mbadi joined the government as CS for Finance.
Previously, Mwale deputised Mbadi.
"As the acting chair of Parliamentary Select Committee on Public Accounts, it's my duty to lead my team of members in keeping the government of the day to account on its financial obligation, without bias or with hunt,” Mwale said.
The Butere MP said leading the PAC was not for selfish interests and neither was it a card to disrupt government operations.
“The government is formed by three arms. We must all work together and for the good interest of Kenya and Kenyans,” Mwale said.
"The Executive will do their policy functions, same as the Judiciary which has its own mandate as we in Parliament execute our three key roles of representation, legislation and oversight,” the MP said.
He said oversight was not meant for blackmailing government but for pushing for accountability in the use of all public resources for the benefit of Kenyans.
“Currently, I'm only acting as chair. When the right time comes, I will be seeking the support of other members to elect me, but if they don't then parliamentary assignments will still move on with those who will have been given the mandate,” Mwale said.
There is expected intense lobbying for the PAC chairmanship and some members who talked to the Star said the Butere MP was a team worker who would effectively lead the committee just like Mbadi performed.
Mwale said he was equally committed to serving the people of Butere effectively and that he had already rolled out several successful community projects to improve the livelihoods of residents.
