Nairobi speaker Ken Ng’ondi has ordered committee chairs to report on what their teams have been doing.
In a communication to the house on April 4, he called out shortcomings in the quality of their work.
“I have observed significant erosion in the performance of assembly committees, particularly the sectoral committees, thus affecting the oversight and legislative mandate,” Ng’ondi said.
The committees have been plagued by prolonged delays in processing matters, unending absenteeism and allegations of bribe demands.
“I’m making steps towards bringing our committees back on track and ensuring that the work of the assembly is carried out effectively,” Ng’ondi said.
To this end, the speaker suspended the business of the house for the entire week ending today.
Time was instead to be dedicated to the chairs of sectoral committees to table reports on everything they have been working on.
Members would then be accorded time to question them.
“This will provide an opportunity for each chairperson to update the house on their committee’s achievements,” the speaker said.
They would also air challenges faced and any outstanding tasks or pending assignments, and address their relationship with executive members and the committee secretariat.
“Each chairperson will be given 15 minutes to present their reports, after which members will have a chance to seek clarification.”
The communication tabulated the order of the committee chairs’ presentation, with five taking the floor on Tuesday, seven on Wednesday and six yesterday.
Ng’ondi asked that their chairpersons be prepared to present comprehensive and honest reports, and that all members engage with the reports exhaustively.
He warned that he would not entertain any absconding of the sessions, and that any chair who stages a no-show would face sanctions.
The speaker also addressed the provision of a session for questioning county executives.
Ng’ondi said the House Committee on Procedures and Rules would table a report that allows for this in Wednesday sessions.
He said the sessions and the reports would serve as a transparent review of each committee’s progress.
This would guide their collective performance and accountability going forward, he said.
“Members should remain alert to safeguard the autonomy and mandate of
the county assembly,” Ng’ondi said.
The tough action by the speaker follows his reading of the riot act to members last month.
At the time, he warned that he would declare seat of MCAs who frequently abscond sittings vacant.
He hinted that around 10 to 12 MCAs had rarely attended assembly sittings over the past year.
Ng’ondi lamented that the frequent lack of quorum had crippled the assembly, undermining its legislative, oversight and representation mandate.
"The unbecoming behaviour and attitude of members towards their responsibility is clear, and the law and other constitutional requirements outline the consequences," he said.
According to the standing orders, a member who misses eight sittings without written permission from the speaker will be reported to the assembly.
The matter
will then be referred to the Committee of Privileges for hearing and
determination.
If after trial, he or she is found guilty, the speaker is required to issue a notice of vacancy.
The affected MCA would then have to seek re-election.
