Parliamentary committee sittings should be conducted honorably

The most important conversations in Parliament happen in committees hence when such a meeting becomes chaotic, the prudence of continuing to hold it is washed away as substantive debate cannot take place. In committees, legislators look through ideas, vet individuals, consider motions, debate proposals and interrogate key office bearers to understand issues. Eventually, committees present their findings and proposals to the house plenary sittings.

Unfortunately this week, the joint Finance, Planning and Trade and Labor and Social Welfare committee sitting in the National Assembly was chaotic. The sitting was convened to interrogate the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning on the National Youth Service (NYS) alleged corruption, steps taken to stop it and other NYS related concerns.

The debate deteriorated on a number of occasions due to things that could have been avoided.

One; members took partisan positions. It became a Jubilee and Cord shouting match. Some members said the government was using the NYS to make political advances.

Two; there was repetitive questioning of the same issue by different legislators even when it had been previously addressed irking other members including the chair.

Three; members found it difficult to allow for full questioning and kept interrupting debate from time to time without raising substantive issues.

Parliament is supposed to be a house of honor. Its deliberations affect the country at large. The NYS issue affects majority of youthful Kenyans, as they would want to learn from it and benefit as some are in Kibera and Mathare slums.

MPs need to understand that when they are in the house including committee sittings, they speak for their people and not selfish interests. In any case, government work is financed by taxpayers and all concerned must be accountable. Parliamentarians should advocate for public interest and this does not include shouting and blocking divergent, critical views.

In this instance, MPs were undertaking their oversight role. Oversight means checking compliance to the law, ensuring that the respective institution and individual abides by the dictates of law and where this is not done, calling them to order including recommending the full house redress mechanisms.

The joint committee sitting unearthed nothing substantive. Parliamentarians failed to use the opportunity the Constitution gives them to raise pertinent issues that would enlighten Kenyans on the NYS.

Although, the Cabinet Secretary was well prepared for the sitting although she was not interrogated. NYS graduates are leading community youth in development projects, including slum-cleaning initiatives aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of the informal settlements. They earn an average of Sh500 per day and save in Saccos, where they can access financial loans.

This is something MPs need to recognize as empowering to Kenyans and support it. Parliamentarians also need to objectively raise any concerns they have to ensure it is above board. Using a critical platform for partisan interests should be shunned. It is hoped that the Speaker will rule on the matter since it was raised in the House and provide useful guide to future committee sittings that can deteriorate.

Posted by Mzalendo Editor on July 11, 2015

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