Rédaction Africa Links 24 with DAVIS AYEGA
Published on 2024-03-06 09:06:23
Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa faced criticism from Senators on Wednesday for failing to attend the question time session in the House. Jumwa was expected to address inquiries from Senators but sent an apology to the Speaker citing conflicting schedules for her absence.
Senators expressed their frustration over Jumwa’s absence, accusing her of misplaced priorities. They highlighted her tendency to prioritize attending funerals, giving media interviews, and engaging with the opposition over fulfilling her official duties. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale criticized Jumwa’s actions and urged the Speaker to take decisive action against her for neglecting her responsibilities. He also questioned Jumwa’s decision to meet with opposition leader Raila Odinga to discuss the Two-Thirds Gender Principle.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also criticized Jumwa for mismanaging her priorities, stating that she neglected her primary responsibility of being accountable by prioritizing other activities over official duties. Senator Kathuri Murungi accused Jumwa of not taking House matters seriously, which inconvenienced Senators and disrupted the House calendar. Laikipia Senator John Nderitu called for a warning instead of censuring Jumwa, urging colleagues to find alternative ways to engage with her.
Jumwa was scheduled to appear alongside her colleagues Kipchumba Murkomen (Road and Transport) and Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury), who also failed to attend. However, Murkomen and Ndung’u had submitted their reasons in advance, sparing them from criticism. Speaker Amason Kingi suspended the question time due to the absence of the three Cabinet Secretaries.
Senators called for a review of the law and potential penalties for Cabinet Secretaries who fail to appear before the House. In March 2023, the House amended its standing orders to allow Cabinet Secretaries to respond to members’ queries on the floor. This modification was made at the request of President William Ruto to strengthen executive accountability.
The incident raised concerns among Senators about the conduct of Cabinet Secretaries and the need for accountability and respect for the House. Despite differing opinions on how to address Jumwa’s absence, Senators agreed on the importance of upholding responsibilities and ensuring transparency in government operations. As discussions continue on the matter, it remains to be seen how the Senate will address similar situations in the future to maintain accountability and efficiency in government affairs.
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