Ababu and his PAC team have a right to be heard regarding the graft claims

Corruption allegations that have adversely affected the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are regrettable, since the PAC is at the heart of the oversight function of Parliament.

It is through the watchdog that the House is able to hold public officers and organisations to account. So when the oversight organ is itself a subject of improper conduct, there is every reason to worry.

Since the allegations of corruption started streaming out, the public has been treated to more smoke than fire. Political supremacy has increasingly taken centre stage, leading to speculation that the graft claims could be a red herring.

Some people somewhere are keen to settle scores with PAC chairman Ababu Namwamba. As in past cases with political motives, the architects have moved things at supersonic speed, denying the accused the right to a fair trial.

Because Kenyans prefer mob lynching to due process, the authors of malicious accusations have always had the last laugh while the victims go down licking their wounds.

I’m not holding brief for the besieged PAC boss, but we must allow due process to take place for justice to be seen to be done. None of the members should be spared, including the chairman, if found culpable.

But again, each member must be accorded a chance to be heard. We should reject the easy and unjust road of mob justice.

BERNARD AMAYA, Nairobi