CS Kindiki will be first to answer questions from MPs, Speaker Wetang'ula says

Cabinet Secretaries will now start appearing in parliament to answer questions by MPs.

According to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, the first to appear will be Interior and National Administration CS Kithure Kindiki.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42A (6B), the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Prof Kindiki Kithure will be the first to be appear before the National Assembly tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon to answer questions," said Wetang'ula.

The CS will appear to answer to three questions on Wednesday afternoon.

"Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, will also expound policies under his docket. And respond to the following Questions in plenary on Wednesday (Afternoon), April 12, 2023," said Wetang'ula.

The questions have already been made public.

"Question No. 74/2023 Hon. Martha Wangari, MP (Gilgil Constituency) Shortage of birth registration materials (also known as B1 forms) in health facilities across the country.

Question No. 105/2023 Hon. Abdul Haro, MP (Mandera South Constituency) Establishment of civil registration centers in every sub-county in the country.

Question No. 106/2023 Hon. Joseph Gitari, MP ( Kirinyaga Central Constituency) Outstanding warrants of arrest from Kagumo Police Post against a certain individual," said Wetang'ula.

According to Parliament's website, Cabinet Secretaries will now be appearing before the plenary of the National Assembly every Wednesday afternoons to answer questions from by members. This follows an adoption of the Report of the Procedure and House Rules Committee that amended various sections of the Standing Orders to allow the Cabinet Secretaries to physically appear before the House and answer questions.

"The legislators amended Standing Order 25A to allow a Cabinet Secretary to expound on Government policy, reply to questions and provide reports concerning matters under their docket. The CSs will now be required to appear before the House on Wednesday afternoons between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. This is a result of the adoption of amendments to Standing Order 40," the report read in part.

During the opening of the 13th parliament on Thursday September 29, 2022, President William Ruto asked Parliament to consider putting in a place a mechanism in the Standing Orders to facilitate Cabinet Secretaries to articulate government agenda as well as explain government policy. This, President Ruto held will be in a bid to enhance Executive accountability to the people of Kenya through their elected representatives.