Senators not happy at KICC

Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro (right) leaves the Senate after the first session of the Eleventh Parliament at the KICC on the 17th of April 2013. The Senators said they are not happy at KICC. Photo/EMMA NZIOKA

What you need to know:

  • Complaining that some Senators were yet to get offices, the former Trade minister questioned why it had taken that long to figure out where the Senate would sit, yet it was provided for when the Constitution was passed in August 2010.

Kenya’s second Senate got down to work with a call by Senators to Parliament to provide conducive working environment for them.
The Senators were also unanimous that the 67-member House should conduct its business in a bipartisan manner to ensure successful implementation of devolution.

Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula kicked off the demand for Parliament to fast-track the refurbishment of Old Parliament Chambers, which is meant to be the Senate’s permanent seat.

The Senate is currently sitting at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, which also houses its temporary offices until work is complete at the old chambers at Parliament grounds, next to the National Assembly.

“This chamber does not befit the Senate. I want to encourage the Speaker (Ekwee Ethuro) and the management of Senate to make sure that this House sits in an appropriate chamber,” said Mr Wetangula, the Ford Kenya Senator for Bungoma.

Offices

Complaining that some Senators were yet to get offices, the former Trade minister questioned why it had taken that long to figure out where the Senate would sit, yet it was provided for when the Constitution was passed in August 2010.

“An appropriate working environment must be created by making sure the Senate moved at the shortest time possible. No impression should be created that we are not an Upper House and we must constantly carry ourselves as such,” he said.

He said with KICC being a hive of activity, security of Senators “was constantly an issue.”

Mr Wetangula spoke while seconding a list of names of 12 Senators who will sit in the Rules and Business Committee. The team is responsible for setting out the agenda of the House.

Due status

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi asked the new committee to assert itself and ensure the Senate is accorded its “proper place” and due status. “This Senate will succeed or fail principally on the performance of this committee. Right now, the Senate is an afterthought and that is why we are sitting in this Chamber. It is the responsibility of this committee make sure that the Senate is not an appendage of any other body,” said the Alliance Party of Kenya Senator.

The former minister, who spoke in support of the new committee, said the Senate “is demoralised with under-paid members and demoralised staff.”

Speaker Ekwee Ethuro said he had taken notice of the Senators’ concern. Responding to complaints by Laikipia Senator G.G Kariuki (TNA), Mr Ethuro said senators were free to change their Standing Orders if they so wished.

Mr Kariuki had complained that the Senators did not play a role in the writing of the new Standing Orders.