Lobby group names dormant, active MPs

Kenya: Three members of the National Assembly are yet to give their maiden speeches in Parliament since they were elected, a new report says.

They are among 13 lawmakers named as the most dormant in parliamentary debates, according to assessment of official records of proceedings by Mzalendo.com.

The debate report card, compiled by Mzalendo.com, is based on the official Hansard contributions published by Parliament after each sitting. It points out that despite the 13 not having contributed at all; there was a marked improvement in parliamentarians' performance compared to the 2013 report.

"Over 150 MNAs gave between 20 and 100 contributions to debate in the House unlike in 2013 where over a third of them spoke less than 10 times each," the report reads in part.

The report also recognised legislators who were active in 2014, with Suba MP John Mbadi being named as the most active contributor.

Amina Abdalla, a nominated MP, was named the leading woman legislator for a second year running. Others who were recognised were Samuel Chepkonga, Asman Kamama, Millie Odhiambo and Florence Kajuju.

Ms Kajuju told The Standard that as elected leaders, they have a responsibility to represent their people and act as an oversight on government.