MPs reject all motions to protest Ringera's new deal
MPs on Tuesday rejected all government business in Parliament to protest over Mr Justice Aaron Ringera’s re-appointment as head of the anti-corruption agency.
They even rejected a motion that was to allow them to take a two-month break.
Also rejected was a motion to reduce the period to debate a Bill that gives authority to incur expenditure as spelt out in the Budget.
MPs also refused to extend Tuesday’s sitting to complete business spelt out in the day’s order paper in anticipation of adjournment.
In addition, they withheld their approval of appointees to the Political Parties Tribunal until the House Committee on Legal Affairs scrutinises the names and gives a report to Parliament.
Joint government Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo had moved to ask legislators to reduce the publication period of the Appropriation Bill from seven to five days.
Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta was on hand to table the Bill for the formal First Reading and the subsequent debate and last stage before it is passed.
But Garsen MP Danson Mungatana was the first to put the government on notice that the House would show its displeasure at President Kibaki’s decision to reappoint Mr Ringera without reference to Parliament’s views.
Consequently, he led MPs in rejecting the extension of the sitting, accusing the Executive of disrespecting Parliament.
Two days
After the motion was voted out, Mr Midiwo, who with his PNU counterpart have been acting as joint leaders of Government business in the House, rose to move the motion to have the Appropriation Bill debate reduced by two days.
However, Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs chairman Mohamed Abdikadir, opposed the motion.
He said approving it would allocate funds to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission under a director whose “illegal” appointment the House had not approved.
