Wamuzi News Ke
In a stunning rebuke, Kenya’s Parliament—National Assembly and Senate—has been accused of undermining its constitutionally mandated oversight role, with critics denouncing widespread “rent-seeking” even as lawmakers rake in millions in allowances.
The crisis of credibility erupted in the wake of the recent reshuffling of 18 key House committees. The scramble for committee leadership sparked fierce public condemnation amid allegations that legislators have abandoned principled scrutiny for partisan gain—and financial windfalls.
Oversight or a Paycheck in Disguise?
Stakeholders are asking: has Parliament traded its watchdog role for a comfy salary? The alarm was raised over the House’s willingness to acquit executive appointees who later fall from grace, only to be recycled yet again into diplomatic or administrative positions—a loophole that one opposition leader lambasted as “laundromat logic.”
Scandals Amid Soft Probes
Accusations aren’t limited to committee wrangling. Probes, such as the ill-fated investigation into the Shakahola cult massacre, have drawn flak. Critics highlighted that the committee, led by Danson Mungatana, traveled without administrative support and rushed its report citing budgetary constraints—a move seen by many as emblematic of a Parliament more interested in optics than justice.
Cost of Compliance
Observers point to the glaring irony: the institution meant to uphold accountability is accused of weakening it, all while its members enjoy generous allowances. Kenya’s most senior Minority Leader, Junet Mohammed, blasted the system for enabling “recycling of failed politicians,” at the expense of professional diplomats.
What’s at Stake
- Constitutional Integrity: Parliament’s shift from oversight to opportunism erodes public trust and weakens democratic checks and balances.
- Rule of Law: When probes into corruption become farcical, the worst offenders walk free—and public funds walk away with them.
- Future Governance: This scandal may resonate with voters in the run-up to 2027, when legitimacy will matter more than ever.
Final Verdict
Kenya’s lawmakers now stand at a crossroads. Will they redeem their mandate by restoring genuine oversight—or entrench a system seen as little more than a pay-for-play show? The public vigil remains intense, and the next moves will define the soul of parliamentary democracy.
