Speaker should strive to redeem his legacy
What you need to know:
- Moreover, the unending duel between him and the Senate Speaker cast him as arrogant and overbearing.
- Never in the history of Parliament has it been the subject of public odium as it is now, yet Mr Muturi has done little to salvage and redeem the dignity and image of the House.
- Although the motion was rejected, it presented a perfect opportunity to interrogate Mr Muturi’s performance. He has fallen short of glory.
From the outset, the censure motion against National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was doomed to failure, and so it was not a surprise that it was rejected by an overwhelming majority of the MPs.
Even so, there is a much bigger story. It is not everyday that a Speaker is subjected to parliamentary censure as that is a hallowed office that is respected as it symbolises the unity and dignity of the House.
It is telling that an MP prepared a petition and mustered the courage to present it to the House, which subsequently discussed it.
Truth be told, Mr Muturi has not sparkled. On several occasions, he has conducted the business of his office in a casual and careless manner.
He has used unparliamentary language a number of times, spoken in a patronising manner to the MPs, and failed to conceal his political allegiance.
ARROGANT
In particular, the way he conducted himself during the acrimonious debate on the controversial Security Bill amendment last December undermined his pretense to non-partisan arbitration of disputes. Moreover, the unending duel between him and the Senate Speaker cast him as arrogant and overbearing.
Unfortunately for him, he is presiding over a House that is bedevilled with all sorts of scandals, ranging from corruption to rape. Never in the history of Parliament has it been the subject of public odium as it is now, yet Mr Muturi has done little to salvage and redeem the dignity and image of the House.
Although the motion was rejected, it presented a perfect opportunity to interrogate Mr Muturi’s performance. He has fallen short of glory.
Rather than rejoice and sit pretty, he should reflect and ask himself if he has lived up to the calling of the office. Mr Muturi has a chance to redeem his legacy.
