President-Elect William Ruto said yesterday that his administration would be seeking the amendment of Standing Orders to allow Cabinet Secretaries to appear before Parliament to answer questions from members.
Ruto pledged to pick Cabinet Secretaries accountable to the public, arguing that by responding to questions in Parliament, the ministers will explain government programmes and policies.
“We want to run a transparent and accountable government. We want CSs to come to Parliament to explain our policies and programmes,” Ruto said during a meeting with elected members of his Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the elected leaders, he said that together with the lawmakers, they would amend Standing Orders to ensure Cabinet Secretaries do not just appear before Parliamentary committees.
“We have discussed with legislators that we will look at the Standing Orders. It has not been possible for CS to be interrogated by the legislature. Some MPs have been answering questions in Parliament, we do not think that is the right thing to do,” said Ruto who was accompanied by Deputy President-Elect Rigathi Gachagua and coalition partners Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula, Alfred Mutua and Justin Muturi among others.
Currently, a Cabinet Secretary can only be summoned to appear before a departmental committee to answer questions but not on the floor of the House.
The outgoing Deputy President told public servants to keep off politics and carry out their roles as stipulated by the law.
He assured public servants that their jobs were secure and urged them to return to their normal duties.
“I want to assure public servants that your jobs are protected and secure. We will allow you to work without undue interference,” the DP said.
He added: “I am asking all public servants who have been forced to take public positions in the just-concluded general election to step back and be professional public servants and serve all Kenyans equally.”
He termed public servants’ involvement in politics as unprofessional and an abuse of office.
