Mr Murungi cited non-appearance and delayed responses issued by CSs as among the challenges experienced by Senate committees investigating various issues, derailing the preparation, tabling, and adoption of committee reports. “The flimsy reasons given by the CSs for skipping hearings are simply disrespectful and unacceptable to the representatives of the citizenry,” the MP stated, without mentioning names.

He said some CSs are also selective about what committee summonses to honour. He said lack of implementation of resolutions adopted by the Senate as another grave concern, observing that it has reduced the whole process of writing motions, debate, and their adoption ‘to a mere ritual or academic exercise.” The Deputy Speaker spoke at a two-day retreat of chairpersons of Senate committees at the Eka Hotel in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, where senators met with governance, financial control, and accountability institutions that work closely with the Senate and whose mandates cut across the two tiers of government.

They included Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, Controller of Budget Margret Nyakang’o, Council of Governors chair Ann Waiguru, and Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee chair Kithinji Kiragu. The meeting was also attended by, among others, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Malokwe, County Assemblies Forum chair Philemon Sabulei, and Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye. Mr Mudavadi said parliamentary oversight function was the cornerstone of democracy and enhanced good governance, transparent leadership, and retention of public trust.