Senators now want stern action taken against two cabinet secretaries for snubbing summons to appear before the House.
Health CS Deborah Barasa and her Tourism counterpart Rebecca Miano were scheduled to appear during the Wednesday morning sitting to respond to questions from members.
Miano was to answer a question from West Pokot Senator James Murgor about the number of tourists that visited the Nasolot game reserve in his county and the amount of revenue remitted to the county.
Barasa on her part was to answer questions from nominated senator George Mbugua on the Kenya-Cuba exchange programme and another on the Linda Mama Initiative and Edu Afya insurance scheme by Peris Tobiko.
She was also expected to respond to the alleged shortage of childhood vaccines in the country among other issues by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.
Others who were expected questions are Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, nominated members Joyce Korir, Hamida Kibwana and Catherine Mumma and Tom Ojienda (Kisumu).
In his communication, Speaker Amason Kingi informed the House that Barasa was indisposed while Miano was away for another activity outside Nairobi.
“This morning we expected two CSs, the CS for Health and Tourism and Wildlife. I have just been informed that a letter has come from CS Health this morning. They have given a reason that she is indisposed and she is not able to appear until a later date,” he said.
Miano, on her part, Kingi said wrote a letter explaining why she would not attend but was rejected by the Senate Business Committee.
The CS was in Tsavo presiding over the ear-notching and transmitter fitting on rhinos.
“We are faced with a situation that none of the CSs is appearing this morning and it is very regrettable because we sacrifice a lot to come to this chamber,” he stated terming the reasons given by the two unsatisfactorily.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute argued this has become a trend for CSs not to appear in the House.
Chute said a censure should be instituted against the two CSs.
“We have said many times the only issue that can allow them not to come to this office is if they have Cabinet meetings. This trend of ignoring this house must stop. I want to ask this house to institute a censure motion against these two CSs,” he said.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei termed the reasons given as flimsy.
“I have looked at the letters from the two CSs, one which has been received after the House started from the CS of Health, has got an explanation that the CS is indisposed. This Mr. Speaker from the previous resolutions of this House do not stand the reasons why a CS is unable to appear before the House,” he stated.
On his part, Uasin Gishu’s William Kisang wondered why Miano could not send the KWS Director General to represent him in the exercise.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said, “Mr. Speaker, it is now becoming a trend and I said two weeks ago that for two Wednesdays in a row, we were unable to transact the Wednesday morning session because CSs were not available”.
