MPs threaten to oust Labour CS Bore for skipping summons

Labour and Social Protection CS Florence Bore during the Launch of the disability mainstream annual status report on June 13, 2023. [Silas Otieno, Standard]

Labour and Social Protection CS Florence Bore has opened another battlefront with MPs for not appearing before the whole House for grilling.

MPs have now threatened to impeach the Cabinet Secretary accusing her of contempt and being the first CS to snub summons to appear and answer questions from members.

"If this House wants to protect its integrity, credibility and safeguard its independence and authority it must take the boldest step and indict this CS. I will be happy to second a motion for her impeachment. I will be asking my members on the minority side to proceed and commence the process," said Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi yesterday.

Ms Bore was to appear before the House alongside Water and Irrigation CS Alice Wahome yesterday as has become the norm since President William Ruto came to power.

Despite being invited three weeks ago, she was a no-show on D-day and sent a letter to MPs communicating that she was out of Nairobi on official business.

"We are today supposed to have submissions from Labour and Water cabinet Secretaries... I have however received a letter by the Labour CS casually stating that the minister is on official engagement outside Nairobi and I don't know what that means...," communicated Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.

His communique only irked members and did little to quell the contestations.

Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa took issue with Bore's request for rescheduling of the engagement noting that Parliament did not operate at the whims of CSs.

"It must be clear to all our Cabinet Secretaries that they don't appear before the National Assembly or Parliament as a favour to anybody. They appear before the elected representatives of the people to be accountable to Kenyans," said Ichungwa.

He added: "CS Florence Bore goes on record of this House as the first CS to fail to appear before it. It is not a good record. When you are a CS and you are invited to Parliament, that is the business that takes precedence over any other."

Wandayi further took issue with the dating of the letter explaining that despite the invitation having been done timeously, her reply came on the day she was to appear.

"Regardless of who you are and especially if you sit in the cabinet, other than being answerable to the appointing authority, you are answerable to this House. There are a lot of complaints about how Bore is contemptuous," added the minority leader.