Mwala MP Vincent Musau has been elected unopposed as the new chairperson of the Environment Committee, following the closure of nominations on Tuesday. Musau was the only candidate to submit his nomination, leading to his automatic election as per parliamentary rules.
The election process was presided over by Peter Chemweno, with Musau being proposed by Adow Kunow and Feisal Abdalla. In his acceptance speech, Musau expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by his colleagues and vowed to lead with inclusivity and fairness.
“I know any of the members have the capacity to be chairman, but you chose me. I thank you for your trust. This is not just an election but a commitment to serve,” Musau stated.
He emphasized the importance of the Environment Committee in national development, highlighting the critical link between environmental conservation and sustainable progress.
“I believe if we work with collaboration and truthfulness, we can make a lot of progress,” he added.
Musau previously chaired the powerful Energy Committee but denied allegations that he was removed due to any wrongdoing. Addressing these concerns, he stated, “A lot was said about me which was not true. That is not me.” He attributed the past events to political maneuvering and urged his colleagues to support him in his new role.
Alongside Musau, Charles Kamuren was elected vice chair of the committee. Kamuren reiterated the government’s commitment to combating climate change, particularly through President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees.
“The president pledged to mitigate climate change effects by planting 15 billion trees…we are on the hot spot to steer the committee towards achieving the promise by the president,” Kamuren remarked.
The Environment Committee faces several pressing issues, including unlocking climate financing, overseeing tree planting initiatives, and managing fossil fuel exploration. With Musau at the helm, the committee is expected to play a crucial role in implementing policies that promote environmental sustainability in Kenya.
Members urged the new leadership to focus on the future and deliver tangible results for the country’s environmental agenda.
