Senators demand answers as Cabinet Secretaries fail to appear before plenary

By Peter Ochieng

Senators ‘came out guns blazing,’ after two Cabinet Secretaries failed to appear before the Senate Plenary on Wednesday morning to answer questions regarding their ministries.

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Deborah Basara and her Tourism and Wildlife counterpart Rebecca Miano were expected to appear before Senators, before requesting that the meeting be rescheduled.

Among the questions Barasa was expected to respond to is the possibility of the Ministry of Health conducting medical assessments of the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, so as to enable them access subsidised treatment, by Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu.

However, just before the session started, Senate Deputy Speaker, Kathuri Murungi informed Senators that the two Cabinet Secretaries had written to him, urging that the meeting be rescheduled.

“I have received letters from the Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano requested the House's indulgence to reschedule their question time,” said the Deputy Speaker, who doubles up as Meru Senator.

His communication irked legislatures, who ganged up to demand that CSs start taking parliamentary sessions seriously.

“It has become a trend for Cabinet Secretaries failing to appear before this House. If we allow this trend to continue, we will be failing Kenyans. We should censure these two Cabinet Secretaries,” said Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute.

“Last evening the CEO of SHA was suspended due to alleged professional misconduct. The health CS has shown the newest level of contempt. I don't know if there are any provisions in law for suspension of CSs for professional misconduct,” said Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.

“This morning, I was supposed to be doing homework with my son, but I had to leave him to come and engage with the Cabinet Secretaries. Now I have missed out on that and I am missing out on engagement with the CSs. These cabinet secretaries who are the face of the President are giving this government a very bad name,” he added.

“The President has said that he's a lone voice in government. The Cabinet Secretaries have a chance to add voice to what the government is doing in serving Kenyans. I expected the health CS to address the issue of polio vaccine on children,” said nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri.

With no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate adjourned until 2:30 p.m.