Senator Moves to Fine Ruto CSs Ksh2 Million
Godfrey Osotsi, a senator from Vihiga, has introduced a bill that would penalize all government officials and persons of interest who fail to respond to a parliamentary summons.
The Parliamentary Power and Privileges (Amendment) Bill, 2023 proposes to increase the sanction for those found guilty from Ksh500,000 to Ksh2 million.
Cabinet Secretaries in the current administration have been placed on the spot multiple times for ignoring summonses issued by members of parliament during their one year in office.
Some of them, including Sports CS Ababu Namwamba and his Health counterpart Susan Nakhumicha, have been labeled as repeat offenders by legislators.
Nonetheless, if the measure is enacted, these individuals will not only be required to pay the fine, but they will also be subject to incarceration.
“The Bill further amends sections 19 and 33 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act to provide a mechanism by which an order of arrest may be executed. Such an order may be executed by the Inspector General of the National Police Service or a member of staff duly authorized by the Speaker or Clerk,” the Senator observes in his legislation.
The individual will be brought before the House or the committee that summoned them the following business day after their arrest.
The individual will have the opportunity to present a defense before the sanction is imposed.
In the new legislation, all summoned individuals, regardless of their position, will be required to appear on the set date, but no sooner than seven days after the date of the summons.
Depending on the urgency of the matter, the individual may be required to appear sooner.
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According to Osotsi, parliamentary oversight is a crucial responsibility for ensuring accountability, particularly in government agencies.
“These summonses enable Parliament to hold the relevant officers accountable on various matters, including matters touching on the functions and powers of County Government,” the Senator stated.
In the meantime, Kenyans and the opposition have been scrutinizing Cabinet Secretaries appointed by President William Ruto.
President Ruto himself and MPs have even questioned the competency of some cabinet secretaries and their grasp of operations of their respective ministries over mishaps witnessed in the one year they have been in office.
Ruto complained in August, during the signature of performance contracts at State House, that he was more knowledgeable about the various ministries than some of his executives.
“If I know more than you about what is in your ministry, then you should not be part of this. Why are you a Cabinet Secretary if you don’t understand your job?” he questioned.
During a probing session, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula accused Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi of having scant information about his ministry.
The CS struggled to provide comprehensive responses to crucial queries, prompting the Speaker to respond.
Senator Moves to Fine Ruto CSs Ksh2 Million