Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muga faced intense criticism in the Senate on Wednesday morning after failing to appear for a scheduled plenary session.
It all began when Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi announced that CS Muga had sent an apology for missing the session, stating that he was accompanying President William Ruto on his coastal tour to address water issues in the region.
"It is in my notice that the CS for Water is accompanying the President on the Mombasa working tour, and therefore he has requested the Senate to indulge him so he can try and sort out water issues in the Coast region," the Meru Senator stated.
He subsequently accepted the request but urged CS Muga to appear before the Senate as soon as he returned to Nairobi.
However, the Senators, led by the Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, raised concern that the relatively unknown CS had missed his inaugural Senate summon.
According to Senator Edwin Sifuna, many members of the Senate were unfamiliar with the Water CS, claiming they did not even know his name, gender, or appearance.
"This is the one CS I have never seen. I don't know what he looks like. If we met in the street, I wouldn't know him. I don't even know his name. I was looking forward to seeing his face," Sifuna remarked.
He further suggested an induction for new Cabinet Secretaries, arguing that the lack of visibility contributed to the government's communication struggles.
"Majority Leader, I think we should have an induction for new CSs. Part of the problem with our government, and the President has even said it, is that he struggles to be the only person communicating government policy. And it’s true because who is this person who holds the Water docket? If he walked into this House, no one would recognize him. Is it a man? Is it a woman?"
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, on the other hand, took issue with the excuse given for the CS's absence, arguing that the President’s visit was not an impromptu event.
"A President's visit is not a thunderstorm that appears from the blues. It is planned weeks in advance, and the minister was aware that he should be here," he stated.
"There is a very cardinal principle this minister is violating. You are supposed to issue notice to the Senate at least seven days before the date of appearance."
However, Deputy Speaker Kathure Murungi came to the defence of the absentee CS, clarifying his identity and background.
"You said you don't know his name. He is not a she. His name is Engineer Eric Muriithi Muga, and I represent him in the Senate—but not on this matter—because I am the Senator for Meru," Murungi stated.
Since it was his first invitation and therefore his first offence, the Deputy Speaker stated that his apology had been received and he would not be punished for it.
