- Mudavadi was to respond to a question from Turkana Senator James Lomenen about the fate of Kenyan pastoralists who have been jailed in Uganda.
- Chirchir was to appraise members on the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement between Kenya and the Gulf countries for the supply of fuel.
Image: SENATE KENYA / X
Senators want three Cabinet Secretaries to be reprimanded for failing to appear before Parliament.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and his National Treasury counterpart Njuguna Ndung’u were to appear before the Senate.
They were to appear on Wednesday before the Senate Plenary to respond to various questions from lawmakers.
Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi said the House received a letter in the morning that Mudavadi will not be available because he is out of the country.
He added that the treasury CS also sent a communication on Tuesday and said he had a prior engagement regarding the COP24.
But Kakamega Senator said the failure of the three CSs to attend Senate is a sign of an 'attitude'.
He said the leaders would have informed the House earlier that they intended to travel and, therefore, would not be available.
"This is the time to sanction the Prime CS so that he respects the House of Equity that represents the 47 counties of Kenya," he said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the act is becoming a habit in the Senate.
"What else are the CSs busy doing that they cannot come here to answer questions that Kenyans are asking? I was looking forward to engaging the Energy CS," Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba said.
Mudavadi was to respond to a question from Turkana Senator James Lomenen about the fate of Kenyan pastoralists who have been jailed in Uganda.
"When will the Government intervene to ensure the release of the pastoralists?” read his question on the Order Paper.
Thirty-two Kenyan pastoralists from Urum and Lokiriama villages in Turkana County were allegedly arrested by Ugandan authorities in April, tried, and sentenced to 20 years in jail.
Lomenen claimed earlier the pastoralists were arrested by Uganda People's Defence Force and the police, in the guise of a disarmament operation.
He maintained that the pastoralists must be released as they deserve a fair legal process.
Chirchir was to appraise members on the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement between Kenya and the Gulf countries for the supply of fuel, including the terms of the agreement, the countries or entities involved and the duration of the agreement.
"What is the per-litre cost of oil under this agreement and how does this cost compare to the prevailing market rates," read a question by Kisii senator Richard Onyonka.
Onyonka further wanted the CS to state any discount or any other favourable terms the Government has received as a result of the single-source purchase of oil, indicating the total savings realised since the signing of the agreement.
Marsabit senator Mohammed Chute wanted Chirchir to name entities that were responsible for the disruptions of power supply in most parts of the country on November 11, 2023, and the nationwide power blackout that occurred on August 25, 2023.
“Could the Cabinet Secretary provide a comprehensive report on the losses incurred by businesses because of the power disruptions, while clarifying whether the affected businesses will be compensated?” read his question.