Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to exercise their constitutional mandate of overseeing the executive without fear, including scrutiny of the President.

Speaking on August 19 during a National Assembly session broadcast live under the banner “Questions of the Day and Statements”, Ichung’wah emphasised that MPs derive their authority directly from the people and must not be intimidated in carrying out their duties.

Constitutional duty

Ichung’wah reminded lawmakers that their oversight role was not a privilege granted by the President or any government official but a responsibility anchored in the Constitution.

“We have men and women who have been elected by the people to represent them and provide oversight of government on their behalf. We oversee the judiciary and the executive because we have that singular role enshrined in the constitution. We do not do it as a favour to anybody, not to the President or those serving in the Executive. We do it on behalf of the people,” he said.

He further challenged MPs to reject intimidation, stressing that even the presidency was subject to parliamentary scrutiny. “Nobody should instil fear in you as you do your work because you are duly elected by the people of Kenya to exercise oversight, even over the Executive, the Office of the President, and the President himself,” he added.

Defence

The remarks struck a chord with several MPs, who expressed frustration over what they described as Executive overreach.

Ibrahim Abdi MP Lafey, criticised the tendency of Parliament to act as a “conveyor belt” for the government, lamenting frequent reprimands through the Political Parties Act whenever legislators spoke independently. “It is time to revisit the Political Parties Act so that Members exercise their discretion and their right to represent their constituents. We can no longer represent others, but the people of Kenya,” he said.

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Kibagendi also weighed in, faulting President William Ruto for recently dismissing Parliament in critical remarks. “It is the classic case of the skunk calling the pig stinky. While Parliament is not without flaws, dismissing it wholesale is unfortunate, hypocritical, and an affront to the very democratic institution that gives legitimacy to the Presidency,” he noted.

Test for parliamentary independence

Ichung’wah’s call comes at a time when relations between the Executive and the legislature appear strained. Analysts note that the 2010 Constitution grants Parliament sweeping oversight powers, including the authority to impeach the President under defined conditions. However, past reports, including the 2017-2022 parliamentary exit review, have highlighted persistent challenges in enforcing these powers due to incomplete constitutional reforms.

As MPs rally behind Ichung’wah’s push for assertiveness, Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether Parliament can translate rhetoric into real accountability and reclaim its position as a co-equal arm of government.