Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa has fronted his opinion that Kenya does not need Members of Parliament at the National Assembly.
Speaking during a podcast with Obinna TV on Monday, October 28, Karungo expressed his firm belief that in the event Kenya looked to abolish some elective positions, then the position of MPs at the National Assembly should be the first casualty.
While justifying his case, the legislator opined that the MPs job description can be handled by other leaders rendering the MP position unnecessary.
"An MP is elected, then they travel to Nairobi, they leave the people they have been elected to represent and forget them and why they were elected," Karungo stated during the interview.
"Compared to the MPs, MCAs are the local representatives who live with the people. They understand the needs of the people." the Senator said.
According to the lawmaker, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) position is the most important in the country, since holders interact with their constituents directly. He proceeded to claim that Governors were the second most important elected leaders in Kenya because, they too, like MCAs interact directly with the people they represent and understand their needs.
While making his argument, he also claimed that the Senator position is more important than that of an MP based on the fact that this section of lawmakers passes national laws with the counties in mind.
Karungo therefore believes that the work MPs do can be taken over by Senators.
"The Senate can vet the CSs and the president approves. They can vet the IG then the president approves. They can impeach. They can remove so we do not need the over300 and so MPs," he posed.
The Senator further pointed out the Senate should be the only house in Kenya with a maximum of 67 representatives
The Senator's arguments come at a time when the country is mulling over several proposals including increasing term limits of the President, Governors, Senators, and Members of Parliament.
Activist Eric Omondi has also proposed a Bill to reduce the number of constituencies in the country from 47 to 8. Through a lobby group, he is also seeking to have the Senatorial, Nominated MPs and Woman Representative positions abolished.
