The Senate has issued a strong warning to three Cabinet Secretaries — Treasury CS John Mbadi, Lands CS Alice Wahome, and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui — over what legislators termed as “systematic sabotage” of parliamentary oversight, accusing the officials of repeatedly snubbing official summons.
The lawmakers are now pushing for censure motions against the ministers, citing blatant disregard for the authority of the Senate and growing Executive impunity.
Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday slammed the conduct of the Cabinet Secretaries, warning that the Senate’s authority was under siege.
He singled out a letter by Treasury CS Mbadi dated May 6, which was delivered just 30 minutes before a scheduled appearance in the House, as “contemptuous and unacceptable.”
“You [senators] have a weapon to handle such errant ministers according to Standing Order 51(d). Time has come to move a censure motion and send a clear message to the Executive,” Kingi stated, visibly frustrated.
The Treasury boss is at the centre of the storm, having skipped multiple House and committee sessions. Most recently, Mbadi ignored an invitation to appear before the Senate Finance and Budget Committee, opting instead to attend a political rally in Migori County alongside President William Ruto.
After the rally, Mbadi was later seen on a televised political interview, further infuriating senators.
“The minister did the same to us on Tuesday. He claimed he was in a Cabinet meeting, yet he was politicking in Migori,” said Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale added, “That is arrogance of the highest order.”
Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana said it was shameful for Cabinet Secretaries to treat Senate summons casually.
“Such ministers must be called to order. They are mocking constitutional authority,” he charged.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned the late communication by Mbadi, saying it showed contempt.
“John Mbadi must know that we are unhappy that he can make time for rallies and television shows but not for Senate business,” said Sifuna, who also serves as ODM Secretary-General.
According to Speaker Kingi, the situation has become so dire that a previous Wednesday Senate sitting almost collapsed due to the complete absence of Cabinet Secretaries expected to answer questions from senators.
