How CS Mucheru Dodged Summons to Explain TV Shutdown

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru on Thursday failed to appear before the Senate Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Committee to explain why TV stations were shut down for covering Raila Odinga's swearing-in on January 30.

The committee expressed disappointment after the retained CS failed to show up despite confirming his attendance initially.

CS Mucheru excused himself from the sitting through a letter from his Principal Secretary, Henry Mungasia, stating that Thursdays were traditionally reserved for cabinet meetings.

“Further, Mr Mucheru will be traveling out of the country for official duties from February 19 to February 26 and any other engagement with the committee can only be done after that date. It is, therefore, to ask the committee to postpone any meeting with the CS until he returns,” the letter read in part.

[caption caption="CS Joe Mucheru"][/caption]

The snub did not augur well with the senators who demanded that the CS appear before the committee before he travels out of the country.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' expressed his dismay at Mucheru's conduct stating: "Mr Mucheru is contemptuous of the role of Parliament. This is the same contempt he has extended to the Constitution and the media. He must learn to prioritize issues that affect Kenyan people at the expense of foreign travels."

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Senator further demanded that the CS should explain who would cater for the losses suffered by the media houses.

“Mr Mucheru must also come here and explain to us the consequential loss the three TV stations incurred as a result of the closure. Who will foot the bill for these losses?” he posed.

Earlier on Thursday, through his social media, Broadcast and Telecommunications Permanent Secretary (PS) Sammy Itemere disclosed that he would accompany CS Mucheru on a visit to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

"This morning CS Joe Mucheru and myself will visit KBC to understand the operational challenges facing the National broadcaster," he tweeted.
[caption caption="File image of Parliament"][/caption]