2 Ruto CSs Snub Parliament Summons Forcing Senators To Demand Censure
Several Senators have asked for a censure motion to be issued on two Cabinet Secretaries who missed a critical meeting on Wednesday, November 13.
Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi sparked a series of reactions from Senate members when he revealed that he had received letters from Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano requesting that their appearances be rescheduled.
“This morning we expected two CSs. I’ve been informed that a letter has come from the Health CS requesting postponement of appearance at the Senate,” the Meru governor told the House, adding that CS Barasa was slightly unwell.
Tourism CS Miano had requested a day earlier that the Senate Business Committee remove her from the Wednesday meeting.
However, the committee denied her request. Nevertheless, Miano did not appear before the House.
Senate Deputy Speaker Murungi Kathuri expresses displeasure over Tourism CS and Health CS failure to appear before Senate pic.twitter.com/208fC1nbn5
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) November 13, 2024
“We are faced with a situation that none of the CSs will appear before the Senate this morning, and it is very regrettable,” the Deputy Speaker added.
Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute led calls for action against the two Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of blatant neglect of their duties.
“The only issue that should prevent them from coming to this house is if they are in a Cabinet Meeting,” Chute said. “I want to ask this house to institute a censure motion against these two CSs.”
His remarks were echoed by his counterpart, Bomet Senator Wakili Hillary Kiprotich Sigei, who scathingly accused CSs Miano and Barasa of having little to no regard for the House.
“They have no regard for the senate. They have no clue of what this house stands for and therefore that translates to them not prioritizing the plight of citizens,” he said.
The Senators were irritated by the Cabinet Secretaries’ absence from the grilling session because questions had already been sent to them in advance of their appearance before the House.
Health CS Barasa, in particular, was expected to answer pressing questions regarding the condition of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the recent suspension of acting SHA CEO Elijah Wachira.
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Wachira was placed on a 90-day mandatory leave, which began immediately, to allow for investigations into his professional conduct and performance in the role.
Notably, Senators have previously expressed frustration with Cabinet Secretaries’ tendency to miss Senate hearings.
In September, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna chastised National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for neglecting to appear before the Senate.
Mbadi was supposed to answer numerous questions on subjects of national interest from MPs.
2 Ruto CSs Snub Parliament Summons Forcing Senators To Demand Censure
