The Kenya Kwanza government is more transparent and accountable to Kenyans than before, a Principal Secretary has said.
Parliamentary Affairs PS Aurelia Rono said on Friday this is because of the ‘revolutionary’ amendments made to the Standing Orders of both Houses of Parliament which allows Cabinet Secretaries to appear before the plenary of the National Assembly to respond to questions posed by MPs.
“These changes have bridged the information gap between citizens and the government,” Rono said.
She spoke at the inauguration of a three-day meeting between Clerks of Committees and Parliamentary Liaison Officers in Mombasa which was attended by National Assembly Deputy Clerk Jeremiah Ndombi.
Parliament, she said, has a vital role in upholding democracy by providing the crucial oversight function.
Her sentiments come amid growing frustrations among Kenyans about the Kenya Kwanza’s running of the country with the cost of living skyrocketing, increasing fuel prices causing pain, rising unemployment rates worrying and the over-taxation unbearable.
On Friday, the Azimio leadership and the coalition’s elected governors accused President William Ruto regime of trying to claw back some of the functions of county governments in a bid to scuttle devolution.
Led by opposition chief Raila Odinga, the Azimio brigade said they will resist attempts by the Ruto regime to take Kenya back to the old era.
This includes the proposal to cut back on the funding for political parties by Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u.
Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu on Friday said such plans will distort democracy and lead to more problems for the country including underdevelopment.
“In developed nations, political parties are funded. And because we are a growing democracy, we ask the Kenyan government to continue funding the political parties and in fact it (the funding) should be increased so as to get to 0.3 per cent,” Nderitu said while opening their new office in Mombasa.
At the meeting of National Assembly committee clerks and parliamentary liaison officers, PS Rono said Ruto regime is strengthening democracy by allowing the people’s representatives to question the CSs.
She said this restores the public trust in the leadership of the country.
The Standing Orders define the framework for parliamentary questions and statements, encompassing response procedures, timelines, notifications, and consequences for non-appearance.
This way, she noted, the Executive is held accountable for its actions and ensures alignment with legislated business and the aspirations of the Kenyan people.
“A robust oversight of the Executive by Parliament is a testament to good governance. Beyond its legislative role, oversight empowers Parliament to maintain a balance of power and uphold its role as the guardian of the people's interests,” Rono said.
She said other proactive steps taken by the National Assembly have ensured the Executive get adequate notice of upcoming questions.
“As part of these proactive steps, the Clerk of the National Assembly has been dispatching notices regarding the scheduling of parliamentary questions to respective state departments,” Rono said.
She said Parliament has leveraged on technology through the publication, on its website, of tentative lists of Cabinet Secretaries set to address plenary on various questions raised by MPs.
Ndombi called upon committee clerks and parliamentary liaison officers from state departments to cultivate harmonious relationships for effective governance and the betterment of citizens.
Ndombi likened their role to that of John the Baptist, who paved the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ.
"Clerks of Committees and Parliamentary Liaison Officers should emulate John the Baptist, preparing the path for the executive and legislative branches. Just as John the Baptist was not the messiah but facilitated his arrival, our role is to facilitate MPs and members of the executive," he said.
He stressed that their duty is not to formulate policy but to pave the way for Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers, and Members of Parliament.
Ndombi encouraged camaraderie between Parliament, state departments and oversight bodies, advocating for proactive dialogue and cooperation rather than waiting for formal invitations or summonses.
"We should foster collaboration and mutual understanding, working towards the welfare of Kenyan citizens."
Ndombi expressed Parliament's willingness to cooperate with forward-thinking individuals, emphasising their commitment to facilitating members of the executive for the benefit of the nation.
