Parliament Suspends United Opposition MP Pending Probe On Claims Of Bribery
The move comes after multiple complaints from individuals appearing before the committee, who accused the lawmaker of harassment.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Bumula Member of Parliament (MP) Jack Wamboka has been suspended from chairing the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education as investigations begin into claims he solicited bribes from witnesses.
The move comes after multiple complaints from individuals appearing before the committee, who accused the lawmaker of harassment.
Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei confirmed the suspension in Parliament on Wednesday, April 22, indicating it was taken to protect public confidence in the committee’s work.
A photo of Bumula MP Jack Wamboka. /PARLIAMENT KENYA
"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.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), in a letter to Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, had earlier raised concerns over what it described as hostility, harassment, and degrading treatment of its officers during appearances before the committee.
According to the commission, Wamboka allegedly demanded bribes in exchange for favourable consideration during proceedings.
Shollei, speaking on behalf of the Speaker, also instructed Minority Leader Junet Mohammed (Suna East MP) to propose an interim chairperson by noon on April 23.
This follows the ineligibility of Vice Chair Boyd Were, the Kasipul MP, who is newly sworn in and therefore cannot take over the role—part of a broader effort to ensure the committee remains under experienced leadership.
Several MPs backed the decision, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who termed it a “Solomonic decision.”
He also proposed referring the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) or other agencies, but 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 Ichung'wah.
Shollei maintained that the process aims to guarantee Wamboka a fair hearing, allowing the investigative committee to consider his side.
She further directed that the committee table its report within 45 days as the probe gets underway.
