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Parliament went on a two month recess last week. This despite the backlog of pending Bills that need to be passed. That means we are in for two months of useless politiking around the next elections rather than focusing on the challenges facing the country. The major newspapers don't seem to want to be left far behind in the election fever with today's Standard devoting no less than six headlines to speculation around snap polls and 2007 elections.
Wouldn't it be great to see the same number of articles highlighting how ineffective Parliament has been? Owino Opondo's recent article on the recess and the shoddy nature of committee work is a great example of what we should be seeing.
The recess is ostensibly supposed to facilitate important committee work, but if the recent non-appearance of 11 out 13 members of the Public Investment Committee is any indication (and they get paid Kshs 5,000 for each appearance!) we can expect more of the same from our MPs.
An aside: You mean these guys were getting paid even if they didn't show up???
In other Parliament news (source Daily Nation):
- The Government blocked attempts to introduce the Freedom of Information Bill in Parliament before went on recess. Its enactment would result in the repeal of the Official Secrets Act and also provide for the whistle blower protection.
- The Government voted against another motion to replace members of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights whose term.
Quote of the day: "Sometimes there was no quorum even as we passed important Bills here...This annoys the public that pays us fairly good salaries." ~ Moody Awori
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