Members of the National Assembly have sounded the alarm over the increasing tendency of Cabinet Secretaries to snub summons to appear before the House and respond to pertinent issues regarding their dockets.

In a statement shared by the Parliament of Kenya on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the lawmakers lamented that the continued disregard of the invitations to appear before the House to answer crucial questions had raised concerns over their commitment to be accountable to the people of Kenya.

The MPs noted that the National Assembly amended its Standing Orders to allow Cabinet Secretaries to appear directly before the House and respond to questions directed to them by the legislators.

Failure to appear in person, the legislators maintained that it was a direct violation of the Standing Order which was amended in March 2023.

CS Chirchir

The MPs raised the concerns after Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, failed to appear during the Wednesday afternoon question time session at the Plenary.

Funyula Member of Parliament Wilberforce Oundo, voiced his concern on the conduct of the Cabinet Secretaries, stating that CS Chirchir has skipped twice.

“This is the second time in a row that the Cabinet Secretary for Roads has failed to appear before this house. The questions we raise are critical to the people of Kenya,” Oundo stated.

Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere also expressed her frustrations over CS’s absence in responding to critical questions regarding their ministries.

“I was looking forward to have the CS respond to my concerns relating to the delay in completion of construction works on Doldol-Nanyuki road in Laikipia North Constituency,” she said.

In a letter to the House, Roads CS Chirchir explained that he was unable to attend and respond to questions directed to him as he was out of the country accompanying the head of state on an official visit to South Sudan.