Criticism mounts as MPs remain silent on matters affecting citizens

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula consults with Majority and Minority Leaders during Gachagua's impeachment motion. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Now you see them, then you don’t. This has become the fleeting nature of lawmakers who are seen and heard only when “fomenting” a national crisis before vanishing to numerous recesses.

In the last four months, they have done it twice, leaving the country on the throes of a revolution. First it was in June when they defied public outcry and hurriedly passed the Finance Bill of 2024.

Immediately after it was passed, the country erupted in violent protests which saw among other things, Parliament and Supreme Court desecrated by protesters, marking the climax of Gen Z demos, which claimed over 60 lives.

The MPs holed up in Parliament later fled the city and could not address any gatherings in their constituencies including churches and only found their tongues after President Ruto dropped it and sacked the Cabinet. 

Although the recess is in line with its calendar of activities, Kenyans have been raising concerns over their operations, accusing the lawmakers of taking keen interest in issues that do not directly affect mwananchi and also taking too long to implement critical matters.

The MPs are currently on a short break, after overwhelmingly voting to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Last week, the National Assembly resolved to alter its calendar to hold sittings on Friday to consider priority business, including mediated Bills, after which they are now back on recess for a few more days.

Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka has constantly taken a swipe on Parliament, saying it is under capture by the Executive and has no authority to oversee critical issues.

He said the opposition will not allow the country to be auctioned by the broad-based regime led by President Ruto with the backing of opposition chief Raila Odinga.

Parliament impeached

“Some of us hold the view that this Parliament was impeached by Kenyans on June 25 and lack the moral authority to adjudicate on heavy matters of national interest, like the impeachment. The impeachment drama was a smokescreen meant to divert the attention of Kenyans and provide cover for multi-billion deals,” Kalonzo said last week.

“This overbearing Executive has indeed captured Parliament. If that was not clear before, the impeachment debates made it starkly so,” he insisted.

Democratic Action Party–Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa said Parliament is dancing to the tune of the Executive, noting there was no reason why those proceedings could not have been postponed.

“If we ever doubted that our Parliament is under capture by the Executive, a very overbearing Executive, impeachment by Senate was our evidence. We do not have a limitation for plenary. Why was the Senate hurried?” posed Wamalwa.

Under the cloud of impeachment drama, he said, Kenya has been captured by Adani the way South Africa was State-captured. Kenya is facing unprecedented threat of State capture while key sectors like energy, transport and health have seen multi-billion shilling deals are being granted in opaque, non-competitive and secretive manner.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse when he tabled a motion to impeach deputy president Rigathi Gachagua at the National Assembly. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Political analyst Herman Manyora said Parliament has powers to change the country but has not been up to the task. 

“These are the only people with the power to check on the other two arms. What have they done? They have turned themselves into boys. You see them cheering over a matter that could land this country right in the deep of the Indian Ocean. Sink it. They are cheering,” he said yesterday on Spice FM.

“They have been given 60 days to process a nomination from the President of a replacement for Gachagua. They want to do it in minutes. They have been given 60 days and not for fun, because this is a serious undertaking. You can see them cheering and clapping and doing things over a matter of life and death,” he added.

He said the framers of the Constitution did not give them such days to process name from the President for nothing because someone is now being introduced not elected by the people. “What is more serious is that the man you are cheering and passing in 60 minutes instead of 60 days can become the President of Kenya. It is good that this played out so that we can know and at the right time, which is coming, Kenyans can have a national conversation and draft a charter,” he said. 

Similarly, lawyer Ekuru Aukot has also accused Parliament of keeping Kenyans on issues of impeachment instead of dealing with other critical issues that affect the country.

“Fellow Kenyans, while the failed Parliament keeps you busy with the shenanigans of Gachagua impeachment, they are hoping that you are asleep not to notice this devilish acts that they are attempting, to extend their term to seven years. Really? This nonsense must stop now,” Aukot posted, on his X account.

In early August, MPs unanimously endorsed the decision to go on holiday again, barely two weeks after they resumed sittings after a month-long recess.