Speaker Wetang'ula Warns MPs Against Missing House Sessions, Lying To Kenyans

Speaker Wetang’ula Warns MPs Against Missing House Sessions, Lying To Kenyans

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has chastised MPs for saying one thing in public while doing the opposite in Parliament.

In an address to the National Assembly leadership at a retreat in Naivasha on Monday, Wetangula stated that some MPs who never speak in Parliament have developed the habit of promising the public that they will act on certain issues in Parliament.

This morning, I joined the National Assembly House leadership for the 2nd National Assembly Retreat of the 13th Parliament.

This retreat serves as a critical opportunity to assess our past year’s performance, refocus our efforts, and establish strategic goals for the remainder… pic.twitter.com/10RyTqUBb0
— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) October 28, 2024

“As Speaker, sometimes I get embarrassed in a place like a funeral when an MP who never speaks in Parliament stands up and says I am going to oppose a Bill and says all manner of things,” he explained.

“…and when the Bill comes, you do not see him in the House to speak to the Bill that he was opposing at a funeral.”

"Attend sessions or risk losing positions," National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula warns absentee committee chairs.#KBCniYetu pic.twitter.com/EkgGrdy4dt
— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) October 28, 2024

Wetang’ula said his office receives a lot of messages from the diaspora expressing concern about Bills.

“Oh, Mr Speaker, there is a Bill before the House that is going to tax every single income in agriculture,” he added.

“I have not seen that Bill. A Bill that is supposed to tax even an egg. As leaders, do not let this propaganda run ahead of you. There is no such Bill as far as I know.”

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Wetang’ula also advised MPs to always highlight the areas they oppose when criticizing a Bill in public.

“I keep telling MPs, you look very good in the public if you point out what you oppose in a Bill,” he added.

During the meeting, the Speaker warned committee chairs and vice chairs that they risk removal from their roles if they repeatedly skip Parliament sessions.

He went on to say that chairpersons who consistently miss committee meetings effectively delegate authority to the vice chair.

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“That should never be the case. Let’s commit fully to leading our committees effectively,” he said.

Wetang’ula also stated that the chairs and vice-chairs of departmental, audit, appropriations, and select committees hold positions of privilege.

“You receive additional compensation and enjoy travel privileges because you are leaders,” he emphasised.

“The least you can do in return is to consistently attend House sessions and actively push forward parliamentary business.”

Speaker Wetang’ula Warns MPs Against Missing House Sessions, Lying To Kenyans