Several Senators have called on a censure motion to be imposed on two Cabinet Secretaries who missed a crucial sitting on Wednesday, November 13.
Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi ignited a series of reactions from members of the Senate after revealing he received letters from Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano requesting to reschedule their appearances.
"This morning we expected two CSs. I've been informed that a letter has come from the Health CS requesting postponement of appearance at the Senate," the Meru governor told the House, adding that CS Barasa was slightly unwell.
Tourism CS Miano had submitted a request to the Senate Business Committee a day earlier to excuse her from the Wednesday sitting, but the committee declined her request. Nevertheless, Miano did not appear before the House."
"We are faced with a situation that none of the CSs will appear before the Senate this morning, and it is very regrettable," the Deputy Speaker added.
Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute was among those leading calls for action against the two Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of blatant neglect of their duties."
"The only issue that should prevent them from coming to this house is if they are in a Cabinet Meeting," Chute said. "I want to ask this house to institute a censure motion against these two CSs."
His sentiments were echoed by his counterpart, Bomet Senator Wakili Hillary Kiprotich Sigei, who scathingly accused CSs Miano and Barasa of having little to no regard for the House.
"They have no regard for the senate. They have no clue of what this house stands for and therefore that translates to them not prioritizing the plight of citizens," he said.
One reason the Senators were incensed by the absence of the Cabinet Secretaries from the grilling session was that questions had already been sent to them in anticipation of their appearance before the House.
Health CS Barasa, in particular, was expected to address pressing questions regarding the status of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the recent suspension of acting SHA CEO Elijah Wachira.
Wachira was placed on a 90-day compulsory leave, effective immediately, to allow for investigations into his professional conduct and performance in the role.
Notably, this is not the first time Senators have expressed frustration over the tendency of Cabinet Secretaries to miss Senate hearings.
In September, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticised National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for failing to appear before the Senate, where he was expected to answer various questions on matters of national interest from lawmakers.
