Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibich expressed their disappointment after MPs serving in the National Assembly's security committee snubbed them on Friday morning, April 2.
It was the second time that legislators skipped the meeting even after a notice was issued and plans put in place. PS Kibicho expressed his disappointment with the no-show by the members of parliament.
"We are disappointed that despite all the effort, the notice that had been given and us responding even if the seven days were not provided, the team would not form a quorum and the meeting had to be called off," he noted.
The meeting between the leadership of the Interior Ministry and the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security had been scheduled to address questions and concerns on security.
The only attendees were CS Matiang'i, PS Karanja Kibicho, CAS Winnie Gichu, Ambassador Dando, and the technical officers.
According to Kibicho, it is the 50th meeting being held this year and preparations were in place.
"We have a very elaborate system of answering parliamentary questions, had prepared and were ready. We hope that they will organize themselves better next time so that we are able to satisfy members of parliament who are asking very important questions on behalf of citizens."
"We are more than ready to respond to the honorable member's questions and concerns as soon as they invite us again," he remarked.
This comes less than a week since the previous meeting was canceled for the same reason. CS Matiang’i appeared on March 24 before the committee accompanied by other security officials but had to leave after waiting for more than 30 minutes for some members of the committee to arrive
The legislators claimed that they had skipped the meeting to teach CS Matiang'i a lesson.
Kitui Central MP Makali Muli cited that for the last three years and a half of trying to secure an audience with the Ministry of Interior, the CS had shown up less than three times.
“The only time PS Karanja Kibicho comes with a full team is when we are discussing the budget. When we are discussing matters as important as questions from MPs they are never there,” he added.
Kisumu Woman Rep Rosa Buyu regretted that the committee had to call off past meetings with the Interior Ministry at the very last minute without explanations from the CS.
The 18-member committee deals with issues of national security, police service, home affairs, public administration, public service, prisons, immigration and the management of natural disasters, community service orders.
