Wamuzi News Ke
A fresh storm has erupted in Parliament after senators called for stiffer consequences against Cabinet Secretaries who continue to snub official summons, with lawmakers accusing members of President William Ruto’s Cabinet of undermining the oversight role of the Senate.
The outrage was sparked after Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Alice Wahome, failed to appear before the Senate for questioning on matters linked to her docket. Her absence, which follows a growing pattern of Cabinet officials skipping parliamentary sessions, drew sharp condemnation from senators who described the trend as an “open act of defiance” against the Constitution.
Senators warned that repeated absences were crippling accountability efforts and fueling a perception that the Executive is deliberately shielding its senior officials from scrutiny. Several lawmakers demanded that Parliament adopt stricter penalties, including fines, suspension of privileges, or even recommending dismissal of non-compliant Cabinet members.
“We cannot continue entertaining a Cabinet that treats parliamentary summons like an optional courtesy,” one senator declared. “This House is the people’s voice, and any official who disregards it is disrespecting Kenyans.”
The latest standoff reignites long-standing friction between the Executive and the Legislature, with senators insisting that their constitutional mandate to oversee ministries must be upheld. Analysts say the battle could escalate into a constitutional crisis if Cabinet Secretaries persist in ignoring summons.
The Senate leadership is now weighing options, including invoking rarely used disciplinary mechanisms, as pressure mounts for tougher enforcement. Political observers warn that failure to act decisively could weaken Parliament’s authority and embolden defiance within government ranks.
This confrontation comes amid wider concerns over transparency in public service delivery, with critics accusing some ministries of evading questions on corruption, stalled projects, and misuse of resources.
For now, all eyes remain on the Senate as Kenyans await whether Parliament will finally crack down on defiant Cabinet Secretaries — or risk losing its grip on accountability.
