Establishment and Mandate of the Committee
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) derives its mandate from Standing Order 197 (2) of the Nairobi City County Assembly, which provides that:-
“The Public Accounts Committee shall be responsible for the examination of the accounts showing the appropriations of the sum voted by the County Assembly to meet the public expenditure and of such other accounts laid before the County Assembly as the Committee may think fit”.
The primary mandate of the Committee is therefore to oversight the expenditure of public funds by Nairobi City County entities, to ensure value for money and adherence to government financial regulations and procedures. The Committee further aims at ensuring that Nairobi City County public funds are prudently and efficiently utilized. The Committee executes its mandate on the basis of annual and special audit reports prepared by the Kenya National Audit Office (KENAO).
Article 229 (8) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that within three months after receiving the report of the Auditor General, Parliament or the County Assembly shall debate and consider the report and take appropriate action.
Composition
The current Committee was established on Thursday 5th October, 2017, pursuant to the provisions of the Standing Order 197 (1).
The Committee consists of a Chairperson and not more than eighteen other Members including the Vice Chairperson. As per precedence set, the Chairperson of the Committee is a member elected by the Committee from among members of the Committee nominated from the Minority Party or Coalition of Parties in the Assembly.
The Committee constituted immediately following the general election serves for a period of three calendar years and that constituted thereafter serves for the remainder of the term of the County Assembly.