• Orengo said Kenyans are right to blame lawmakers for failing to intervene over the matter.
• He said it is an institutional affair that should not be based on political parties.
This month's steep increase in fuel prices has continued to trigger varying reactions from Kenyans, with calls to authorities to take action and cushion citizens from the rising cost of living.
On Tuesday, Energy CS Charles Keter failed to appear before the Senate committee where he was expected to explain the increase. He said the issue falls under the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining led by CS John Munyes.
While making his remarks on the matter in the chambers on Tuesday afternoon, Siaya Senator James Orengo said Kenyans blame Parliament for failing to take action.
“It is a matter in which unless you show the authority of the legislature, we will go down very badly,” Orengo said.
Orengo said Kenyans are right to blame lawmakers for failing to intervene over the matter, adding it is an institutional affair that should not be based on political parties.
“The public is correct in blaming the National Assembly and the Senate. And it is not a party matter, it is an institutional matter…anybody going outside there and saying that it is either Jubilee, UDA, or ODM are completely misled. This is a matter on which Parliament must take full responsibility.”
The senator said Kenyans have now resorted to moving to court as their last option to stop some of the taxes the government has put in place, yet it is within the mandate of Parliament.
“The principal objective of Parliament is that there should never be taxation which is not sanctioned by Parliament…this is a grave matter that if not handled appropriately, Parliament will stand accused.”
He continued: “As matters stand now, this is a matter in which a Parliament like this can be characterised as toothless, without authority, and we are in a circumstance in which we failed even in terms of oversight and we also fail as lawmakers.”
The senator said that constitutionally, there is no tax that can be levied or expenditure that can be made without the authority of Parliament.
“I am beginning to feel that this Parliament is becoming one of the weakest Parliaments in the history of this nation.”
Edited by CM