MPs raise red flag over Executive's performance

The Executive has been accused of poor performance in responding to statement requests from MPs.

Currently, 79 statements are pending and MPs are frustrated. Some legislators made requests to respective ministries as far back as early 2011.

Turkana Central’s Ekwe Ethuro said a statement he sought from the Minister for Environment a year ago has not been forthcoming, despite frequent reminders.

His case concerns a complaint that the Lions Eye Hospital in Loresho has been causing sleepless nights to residents. He claims the hospital plays loud music at night- indicating that it is turned into a discotheque at night.

The matter has come up in the Speaker’s panel where the Speaker expressed concern.

On Thursday, deputy leader of Government Business Amos Kimunya apologised to the House and said he will raise the matter in the next Cabinet meeting on how policy issues will be handled and resolved in Parliament.

Ministerial statements provide MPs with an opportunity to get a comprehensive response on urgent matters from relevant ministries. The other option is by way of questions, which they file and ministers respond to in House sittings.

The House Business Committee plans the programme of the House-officially referred to as the Order Paper.

Disgruntled MPs said some of the matters they sought responses on from the frontbench have since been overtaken by events. The delay also defeats the purpose of having a provision for ministerial statements in the House.

Naivasha MP John Mututho said some of the statements touch on weighty matters and that the conduct of members of the front bench was undermining the role of Parliament.

“I rise as a very worried man, it is very sad that the government can sit on 79 ministerial statements,” he said, suggesting that the House sets aside some sessions to specifically deal with the pending statements.

Of concern is that some of the issues touch on security matters.

The late National Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode will be remembered for his dedication in responding to ministerial requests which he did promptly. The late Minister, who died in a plane crash in June, would even step in for his front bench colleagues and respond to some of the ministerial requests in their absence.

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo said the front bench conduct is worrying given that Parliament is now on its last leg of parliamentary life when it is expected to conclude  pending legislation touching on constitutional implementation.

“This will require the government to move with speed, otherwise, the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee will take over the constitutional bills and introduce them in Parliament,” she threatened.

Responding, Mr Kimunya said MPs should not panic, promising that pending constitutional bills will be ready for introduction in Parliament next week.

He said consultations with the CIOC and the Law Reform Commission have been concluded and the bills are awaiting formal endorsement by Cabinet and will be taken to Parliament next week.

“CIOC need not worry about taking over the responsibility of the government, just prepare to handle the bills when they start coming in next week,” he said.

He said the list of the pending ministerial statements will be circulated to ministers.