MPs Threaten Sanctions Against Health PS Peter Tum for Ignoring Summons

Members of the National Assembly (MPs) have threatened to take drastic action against Health Principal Secretary (PS) Peter Tum over his continuous disobedience of parliamentary summons. 

According to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee  (PAC), the PS has been put on notice for snubbing the committee to explain multibillion-shilling procurement deals that were flagged by the Auditor-General Edward Ouko in his reports. 

The warning came after the PS on Tuesday sent his senior administrative director Ibrahim Malim to represent him.

In his defense, Tum addressed the clerk through a letter mentioning that he is out of the country on official duty up to next week.

[caption caption="File image of Health PS Peter Tum"][/caption]

However, PAC Chairman Opiyo Wandayi noted that he is not convinced by the explanation and demanded that he (Tum) appears to explain the audit.

Wandayi exclaimed: "We will not tolerate any accounting officer trying to undermine the authority of this committee. Is this not an official duty?

"We insist and direct that the Principal Secretary appears before this Committee on Thursday to respond to audit queries. Wait on Thursday and see what will happen. We shall start with this one as an example to the rest," the committee chair added.

Additionally, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo expressed disappointment in PSs who fail to honour invitations by parliamentary committees.

According to the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, the committee has the power to order any person to appear before it to give evidence or produce any paper, book, record or document in his or her possession or under the control of that person.

Failure to attend is an offense, punishable, under the court of law, by a Ksh2,000 fine, or a jail term of one year or both.

[caption caption="File image of of PAC Chairman Opiyo Wandayi and his deputy Jessica Mbalu"][/caption]