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Law and policy are closely intertwined, therefore the process of making each must be informed by the other. Legislation is an exclusive Parliamentary task, consequently legislators are expected to take time and observe the environment in its entirety before making a law. In this sense, legislative work is tedious and requires dedication.
For a long time now, research in government institutions including Parliament, has been an anathema. This has led to making laws and policies that are out of touch with reality or wholly incompetent legislation. This may explain why Kenya has so many laws that are at times not effective.
There can be no research without reading and this points to the frustrations of Marakwet East MP, David Bowen. Last week, Hon. Bowen complained on the floor of the House that MPs are not reading Bills which makes it hard to debate them. This also adds to the time taken to deliberate on bills. Additionally, it reinforces the viewpoint that many Parliamentarians are just joy riders.
If Parliamentarians embraced a reading culture and the commitment to undertake research, Kenyans would be feeling the output of the House on the ground. A Parliament that links legislation making process with the policy needs of a people would be more effective and people driven.
Most MPs may be lazy and even clueless of what is expected of them but there are some who are doing good Job. Take for Instance Irungu Kang’ata, he has always been sponsoring bills that are directly linked to the needs of his constituents. His first Bill, aimed at reforming the Higher Education Loans Board, though it was returned to Parliament by the President, its intentions were brilliant. The second one, in Hon. Kang’ata’s name, is a Bill that is supposed to reform the coffee and tea sector.
Most of the times, people are attracted to Parliamentary positions due to the aura and power associated to it. Few, if any, are called to serve humanity. Serving humanity is about selflessness, sometimes you burn the midnight oil, occasionally have little time with family and on weekends you skip that meaningless public rally.
Simply, a Parliament that approves Budget proposals without noticing that Eurobond money is not “accounted for” sufficiently, isn’t worth its salt. It isn’t logical at all. A keen eye for detail, in matters parliamentary is important. Now this highlights another point. Whenever, the country suffers poor budgeting and planning, It’s not only the Executive that should be blamed, in fact Parliament should be apportioned the largest blame. In the budget making process Parliamentarians should always make sensible and relevant proposals that will directly help the people they represent.
Finally, it is a challenge for Parliamentarians to spend some more time reading and researching so as to improve their input in Parliamentary business. In the wisdom of David Oglivy, “Ignoring research is as dangerous as a general who ignores decodes of enemy’s signals”. Does Parliament have what it takes to raise its game?
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