Speaker Wetang'ula Removes Bumula MP As PIC Chair, Kasipul's Were Replaces Him

Speaker Wetang’ula Removes Bumula MP As PIC Chair, Kasipul’s Were Replaces Him

Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka has been suspended from chairing the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education pending investigations into allegations of soliciting bribes from witnesses.

The suspension follows numerous complaints logged by witnesses appearing before the PIC committee, who claimed harassment from the lawmaker.

Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei confirmed the suspension in parliament on Wednesday, April 22, stating that the decision was made in the interest of public trust.

“In order to safeguard public trust in the work of the Public Investments Committee on governance and education during the pendency of the inquiry, I am further persuaded to suspend the honourable Jack Wanami Wamboka from chairing the committee during the period,” declared Shollei.

Bumula MP Wamboka suspended as PIC Chair over bribery allegations pic.twitter.com/zNZUBquTwR
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 22, 2026

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had, in a letter addressed to Speaker Wetang’ula, protested what it termed as open hostility, harassment, and demeaning treatment of its officers who appeared before the committee.

NCIC alleged that Wamboka demanded bribes as a prerequisite to granting an audience favourable consideration during the committee proceedings.

In addition to the suspension, Shollei, speaking on behalf of the Speaker, directed the Leader of Minority, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, to nominate an Interim Chairperson by noon on April 23.

The directive follows the fact that Vice Chairperson Boyd Were, the Member of Parliament for Kasipul, is a newly sworn-in legislator.

Were is therefore ineligible to assume the chairmanship, a move aimed at ensuring the committee is led by experienced leadership.

While not a universal statutory ban, this practice is driven by the need for procedural knowledge, political experience, and technical expertise in oversight

The move was praised by several parliamentarians, including Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who described the Speaker’s action as a “Solomonic decision.”

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He also suggested that the matter be referred to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) or other investigative agencies, but Speaker Shollei ruled that it would instead be handled internally by the Powers and Privileges Committee.

“I think your decision to take it to our Powers and Privileges Committee is the best decision so that we deal with our own internal matters internally,” appraised Inchung’wa.

The decision, as per speaker Shollei, is to give MP Wamboka a shot for fair trial, so that the investigative committee can also hear his side of the story.

Shollei further directed the committee to furnish its report within 45 days, even as the investigations have been initiated on the matter.

Speaker Wetang’ula Removes Bumula MP As PIC Chair, Kasipul’s Were Replaces Him