Just a day after acting Social Health Authority (SHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elijah Wachira was suspended over professional misconduct, Kitui County Senator Enock Wambua has questioned whether there is a law provision that can apply the same to Cabinet Secretaries.
This is after Health CS Deborah Barasa on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, failed to appear before the Senate to respond to questions regarding her ministry.
Barasa, Miano snub senate
CS Barasa was supposed to appear before the senate at 10:00 am.
However, Senate Deputy Speaker Senator Kathuri Murungi (Meru) informed the House that he had received letters from CS Barasa and her Tourism counterpart Rebecca Miano requesting the House’s indulgence to reschedule their question time.
The Deputy Speaker Sen. Kathuri Murungi (Meru) informs the House that he has received letters from the Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano requesting the House's indulgence to reschedule of their Question Time. #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/GcbVBHASkI
— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) November 13, 2024
Wambua on contempt
Senator Wambua while speaking on the floor of the senate stated that the health CS had shown the newest level of contempt.
The lawmaker made a comparison to the suspension of the SHIF/SHA acting CEO, asking whether the same should be applied to the CSs who keep on disrespecting the senate summons.
“We have said before that we don’t want to turn ourselves into a house of lamentations especially when dealing with wayward cabinet secretaries who have continued to show utter disrespect to the authority of this house. For the CS in charge of matters health to communicate to your office this morning that she will not be appearing before the senate when she is expected to be here at 10:00 am is the newest level of contempt,” Wambua stated.
“I’m alive to the happenings of last evening where the CEO of SHIF/SHA was suspended and the reasons given for his professional misconduct. I don’t know if there are any provisions in the law for suspension of CSs for either professional or political misconduct, but this one Mr Speaker must go to the highest office on the land,” he added.
Sen. Enoch Wambua (Kitui): Last evening the CEO of SHA was suspended due to alleged professional misconduct. The Health CS has shown the newest level of contempt. I don't know if there are any provisions in law for suspension of CSs for professional misconduct. #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/6IAdtEY1Dl
— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) November 13, 2024
MPs raise alarm
Members of the National Assembly last week also 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.
SHIF/SHA CEO suspended
The acting Social Health Authority Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) Elijah Wachira was on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, suspended for professional misconduct.
The board of the SHA sent Wachira on compulsory leave that will last for 90 days, with Financial Services Director Robert Ingasira being named as acting boss.
“This is to inform you of the resolution of the board to send you on compulsory leave effective immediately for a period of 90 days to allow for further investigations on your professional conduct and performance as the acting CEO of the Social Health Authority,” the letter read in part.
“While on leave, you shall be entitled to all your current remuneration and benefits. The board has further appointed Robert Ingasira as the Acting CEO while you are on leave. Therefore, please hand over the office to him immediately.”
