National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has called out legislators within the National Assembly as well as committee chairs and vice chairs for serial absenteeism which he pointed out has continued to paralyse house operations.
Speaking on Monday during a Parliamentary retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Wetangula cited that the recent trend has had a negative effect paralysing critical Bills affecting Kenyans.
According to Wetangula, quorum hitches have continued to affect house operations. The Speaker proceeded to fault the lawmakers, warning that such conduct, going to the future is unacceptable.
Wetangula particularly faulted the Chairs and Vice chairs for snubbing sittings but being on the front line for foreign travels. Wetang’ula emphasized that chairpersons and vice-chairpersons should be committed to streamlining legislative processes and eliminating unnecessary delays.
"If you count the numbers of chairs and vice chairs of committees the house should never luck quorum at any one time. You hold positions of privilege, we pay you extra for being chairman of committees, and the best you can give back is never to miss attendance to the house" the speaker said.
The speaker emphasized the crucial role committee chairpersons play in the House, noting that they serve as a key link between the Legislature and the Executive.
“You are the primary point of contact and oversight for Cabinet interactions. Cabinet members appear before you and before the plenary, and you must engage with them on a deeper level than just the questions posed on the floor,” he stated.
“You can’t fulfill this responsibility if you don’t attend House sessions and listen to members’ contributions.”
Wetangula has vowed to crack the whip on departmental, audit, appropriations, and select committee chairs who continue to promote absenteeism. He has warned that this behavior risks them being removed from their roles.
"If you appear on the order paper two or three times and you are nowhere to prosecute your agenda, we drop it, so that we don't continue pilling work." Wetangula empasized.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, encouraged members, particularly committee chairs, to prioritize attending House sessions during the key hours between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
“This is when the Speaker or presiding chair will allow you to speak at length, as there are usually fewer people waiting to contribute,” he explained.
