Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised an issue with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi after he failed to appear before the Senate.
Mbadi was supposed to appear before the House on Wednesday morning and had even confirmed his attendance but he failed to appear for the session.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Sifuna lamented that Mbadi, who took office less than a month ago, has become disrespectful to the Parliament.
"I'm very shocked. We woke up very early in the morning to come and attend this session. The question that I was supposed to put to CS Mbadi is a question that is over a year old," he said.
Sifuna said the House could not allow such snubs, noting that they need to engage with the CSs.
"I want to tell John Mbadi that this is unacceptable. They (CSs) have to show respect to this house," he said.
He added that the situation was made worse by the fact that Mbadi was a member of Parliament.
Sifuna said at the very minimum, the CS should have written to the House on Tuesday to explain that he would not make the appearance.
"As of yesterday (Tuesday), there was a communication that he had confirmed that he was going to come. At the very minimum, you should have written yesterday and said he was not going to be able to make it. We also have other businesses to attend," he said.
"Honorable John Mbadi must be called to order. This is not the John Mbadi I knew. He used to respect Parliament."
Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi also stated that it was not in order to receive a letter from CS Mbadi when the session was on.
"It is not in order to just receive communication when the session is on," he said.
He noted that the Senate may revoke Standing Order 51 (d) to censure the CS for failing to appear before this House without giving probable cause.
"Therefore we should not be crying and we have our explicit authority under Standing Order 51 (d). I think we should take that direction.," Murungi said.
