Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Deborah Barasa and Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano have come under heavy scrutiny after failing to appear before the Senate during a crucial sitting on Wednesday. Both were scheduled to respond to questions from members of the Senate but were absent, citing various reasons that were deemed unsatisfactory by several senators.
Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, informed the House that Barasa had indicated she was indisposed and unable to attend the session. Meanwhile, Miano explained that she was attending another activity outside Nairobi, an excuse that was rejected by the Senate Business Committee. Miano was reportedly in Tsavo overseeing an ear-notching and transmitter fitting exercise for rhinos, a task that prompted questions about the level of responsibility expected of a CS.
The absence of the two CSs caused considerable disruption in the House proceedings. Miano was scheduled to respond to a question from West Pokot Senator James Murgor, concerning the number of tourists visiting the Nasolot Game Reserve and the revenue generated from these visits. Barasa, on the other hand, was expected to address multiple issues, including questions on the Kenya-Cuba exchange program, the Linda Mama Initiative, and the Edu Afya insurance scheme, in addition to an inquiry into the alleged shortage of childhood vaccines in the country. These pressing matters had been prepared for discussion and were crucial to the ongoing debates about the state of health and tourism in Kenya.
Despite the late notice, Speaker Kingi expressed his frustration, labeling the absence of the two CSs as highly regrettable. He emphasized the dedication senators show when attending sessions, many of which require significant time and effort. “This morning we expected two CSs… It is very regrettable because we sacrifice a lot to come to this chamber,” he remarked, underscoring the challenges faced when government officials do not fulfill their commitments.
The frustration was shared by several senators, including Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute, who criticized the recurring pattern of ministers failing to appear before the Senate. Chute called for a censure motion to be initiated against the two CSs, asserting that excuses such as these were no longer acceptable. He pointed out that the only valid reason for a CS’s absence should be a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing that it was time for the Senate to take a stronger stance against such absences.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei also voiced his dissatisfaction, terming the reasons provided by the CSs as “flimsy.” He pointed out that the letter from the Health CS had been received only after the House had already convened, and he questioned the legitimacy of Barasa’s excuse of being indisposed. “The reasons why a CS is unable to appear before the House do not stand,” Sigei stated, calling for accountability from the executive branch.
Similarly, Uasin Gishu Senator William Kisang raised concerns over the failure to delegate responsibilities. He wondered why Miano could not have sent the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to represent her in Tsavo, especially considering the importance of the Senate session. His comments highlighted the perception that the CSs’ responsibilities were being handled ineffectively, causing unnecessary delays in Senate business.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua added to the critique, noting that this trend of absences was becoming too frequent. He pointed out that, just two weeks ago, the Senate had been unable to conduct its Wednesday morning session due to the unavailability of CSs. This repetition, Wambua suggested, risked undermining the integrity of Senate proceedings and could potentially erode the trust between the legislative and executive arms of government.
The absence of CSs from the Senate has raised broader concerns about the responsiveness of government officials to the legislative process. The Senate is a critical part of the Kenyan political system, tasked with holding the executive accountable. However, repeated absences and inadequate explanations from senior government officials have sparked calls for stronger measures to ensure that CSs honor their obligations to the House. Senators appear increasingly determined to tackle this issue head-on, signaling a growing resolve to hold the executive to account for its conduct in Parliament.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Senate will respond to these repeated absences and what actions, if any, will be taken to address this growing concern.
