Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma has been unanimously elected chairperson of the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPISFC), taking over one of the Senate's most influential oversight committees following a leadership shake-up that saw Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi removed from both the committee's leadership and membership.
Mwaruma takes over from Osotsi, who had chaired the committee since 2022 before losing his position through a vote of no confidence last week. Following his removal, Osotsi was dropped from the committee altogether during a wider reconstitution of Senate committees approved by the House, paving the way for new leadership across several key oversight panels.
The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee is among Parliament's principal watchdog committees, with the responsibility of examining reports by the Auditor-General on county corporations, county public investments and special funds. The committee plays a central role in ensuring accountability in the management and use of devolved public resources.
Nominated Senator Beth Syengo was also unanimously elected the committee's vice chairperson, replacing Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who was removed from the committee during the latest Senate committee reshuffle.
Speaking after his election, Mwaruma pledged to lead the committee through consultation and teamwork, urging members to remain committed to the task ahead.
"I want to promise you that I have been around for some time and will operate an open-door policy. I urge you to attend meetings because we have a lot of work to do."
He said the committee faces a demanding workload and stressed that regular attendance and cooperation among members would be necessary as it reviews audit reports affecting county governments, county corporations and special funds across all 47 counties.
As chairperson, Mwaruma will oversee a committee responsible for examining billions of shillings in public expenditure. Its work includes investigating audit queries touching on financial management, procurement, governance and the use of public resources before making recommendations to the Senate.
His election comes as the Senate undertakes a wider reorganisation of leadership across its standing committees following changes to committee membership approved by the House.
The changes also affected the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), another major oversight committee charged with examining the financial statements of county governments.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang retained his position as chairperson, providing continuity in the leadership of the committee.
At the same time, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was unanimously elected vice chairperson of the County Public Accounts Committee, replacing Mwaruma after his move to head the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee.
The latest leadership changes complete the reorganisation of the Senate's two main county oversight committees, which are tasked with scrutinising the management of devolved public funds.
For the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, Mwaruma's election marks a fresh start after the removal of its former chairperson and positions the committee to resume the examination of pending audit reports involving county-owned entities, county investments and special funds.
The election of Beth Syengo as deputy chairperson also completes the committee's new leadership, with members expected to step up oversight of county expenditure, investments and the management of public resources.
With Mwaruma now leading the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, and Kajwang and Cherargei heading the County Public Accounts Committee, the Senate has put in place new leadership for its two key county watchdog committees as it seeks to strengthen accountability and oversight of devolved finances across the country.