Speaker Kingi pushes for censure motion against CS Mbadi over no-show

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has stirred up debate in the Senate after recommending that lawmakers introduce a censure motion against Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for failing to attend a scheduled session with the Upper House.

The Speaker's remarks came during a plenary sitting on Wednesday, where he responded to the growing anger among Senators over the CS’s last-minute notice declining the Senate's invitation.

Kingi, while addressing the visibly frustrated Senators, emphasized that Mbadi’s letter neither explained his absence nor showed respect to the institution.

"I have heard your frustrations, concerns, and disappointments. Indeed, Honourable Senators, this letter (Mbadi’s apology) is contemptuous and does not even indicate the reason why the CS is not present," he said.

He pointed out that there are clear parliamentary rules on how to handle such situations.

"Honourable Senators, you have a weapon to handle such kinds of CSs. If you read Standing Order 51(D), it clearly states that if a CS fails to appear for no good reason, then a censure motion can ensue," Kingi added, encouraging Senators to use the rules at their disposal.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna voiced strong disapproval over Mbadi’s absence, stating that the CS’s actions showed disrespect for the Senate.

Sifuna wondered why the CS was able to attend a late-night TV program but chose not to show up for a parliamentary session.

He described the behavior as unacceptable and degrading to the institution.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua questioned the sincerity of Mbadi’s apology, saying his experience as a former Member of Parliament should have informed a better approach.

"If CS John Mbadi, a former Member of Parliament, can afford to write to you this morning at 9am to say that he is not presenting himself at the opening of this House is the height of contempt for this House," Wambua remarked.

The incident is not isolated. Similar complaints were made last year when other Cabinet Secretaries missed Senate summons.

Tourism CS Rebecca Miano and then Health CS Deborah Barasa were also on the receiving end of criticism for avoiding Senate appearances. In both cases, lawmakers claimed that the excuses offered were inadequate.

Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi reminded the House that he had previously received rescheduling letters from both Miano and Barasa.

The announcements reignited concerns about an increasing trend of Cabinet Secretaries evading parliamentary accountability.

Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute was among those who demanded action against the Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of ignoring their duty to respond to the House.

His call was supported by Bomet Senator Wakili Hillary Kiprotich Sigei, who said that the repeated absence of CSs was a direct insult to the role of the Senate in national governance.