NAIROBI, Kenya – Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka has been suspended from chairing the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education following serious allegations that he solicited bribes from witnesses appearing before the committee.
The decision, announced in a formal communication to the National Assembly, paves the way for an inquiry by the Powers and Privileges Committee, which has been given 45 days to investigate the claims and report back to the House.
The suspension follows multiple complaints, including a formal protest by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which accused the legislator of “open hostility, harassment and demeaning treatment” of its officials during committee proceedings.
The commission further alleged that Wamboka demanded inducements as a precondition for granting an audience or favourable consideration.
In a detailed ruling on Wednesday afternoon, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss emphasised the gravity of the allegations, describing them as a direct threat to public trust in Parliament and its oversight mandate.
“Allegations made against the chairperson of a committee of this House pose a grave threat to the public trust bestowed upon this House and its members,” she said, adding that such claims must be addressed “with urgency and transparency while observing the dictates of the Constitution on fair hearing and due process.
Boss, the Uasin Gishu Woman MP rejected calls from some MPs to dismiss or redirect the complaint to external agencies, insisting that Parliament had a constitutional obligation to first handle issues affecting its own integrity.
“It is incumbent upon the House to treat any question affecting its privilege with utmost urgency… a complaint of this nature cannot be dismissed summarily,” she ruled.
The Powers and Privileges Committee
She further warned that even the perception of impropriety could undermine the work of the powerful watchdog committee, whose mandate includes scrutinising audit reports within strict constitutional timelines.
“Prudence dictates that the discharge of this critical mandate should not be clouded by even a hint of impropriety,” she said.
Leaders from both sides of the aisle weighed in on the matter, largely supporting the decision to refer the case to the Powers and Privileges Committee while stressing the need for fairness.
The Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah, backed the Speaker’s directive as “Solomonic”, noting that it strikes a balance between accountability and due process.
“It is paramount that we protect the dignity of the House and its committees by first acting here internally,” said Ichung’wah. At the same time, it is only fair that the chairperson gets an opportunity to be heard… so that we do not condemn all members of the committee over allegations that target an individual.”
Ichung’wah, who is also the Kikuyu legislator, cautioned against generalising the accusations to the entire committee, emphasising that “the allegations are not against the whole committee but against one member”.
Junet Mohamed strongly defends MP Wamboka
On his part, Leader of Minority Party Junet Mohamed defended Wamboka, expressing confidence that the legislator would receive a fair hearing and ultimately clear his name.
“I hope he will get fair treatment… and in the end he will be vindicated, God willing,” Junet said, describing Wamboka as “a law-abiding Member of Parliament” who has diligently chaired the committee.
Wamboka has strongly denied the allegations, terming them unfounded and politically motivated. He argued that the complaints may be linked to the committee’s “robust examination” of the NCIC’s operations, including questions over recruitment and financial management.
The legislator also questioned the timing of the complaint, suggesting it was revived long after being initially lodged, which in his view pointed to ulterior motives.
Kasipul MP Boyd Were, who is the vice-chairperson of the committee and was newly sworn in recently, the Speaker directed the Minority leadership to nominate an interim chairperson by noon on April 23, 2026.
MP Jack Wanami Wamboka’s moment of truth
Should the Minority side fail to do so, the committee will be allowed to elect one from among its members.
The Powers and Privileges Committee, chaired for this inquiry by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, has been tasked with conducting a thorough probe, including examining whether any other members were involved or whether the allegations are limited to the chairperson.
MP Boss reminded her colleagues that past bribery allegations against parliamentary committees, notably during the 11th Parliament, led to drastic action, including the disbandment of an entire committee.
“The inquiry and its outcome shall be a clarion call… to re-evaluate how we conduct our oversight role and hold leadership to account,” she said.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to have far-reaching implications for parliamentary oversight, integrity standards, and public confidence in legislative institutions.
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