After repeatedly censuring Cabinet secretaries for snubbing parliamentary summons, senators themselves failed to show up for a key Senate session yesterday—prompting an abrupt adjournment in a striking twist of irony.
The session, during which three Cabinet secretaries were scheduled to address urgent national matters—including the escalating crisis in the education sector—was called off after the Senate failed to meet the minimum quorum.
Temporary Speaker Hillary Sigei rang the quorum bell for more than 20 minutes, but only a handful of senators turned up.
The House requires at least 15 of its 47 members to begin official business—a threshold that was not met.
Cabinet secretaries Julius Ogamba (Education), Rebecca Miano (Tourism and Wildlife) and Soipan Tuya (Defence) had been scheduled to appear before the plenary to answer questions raised by the lawmakers.
The no-show by senators comes in sharp contrast to their recent hardline stance against Cabinet secretaries who have failed to appear before the House, drawing accusations of double standards.
Their absence has raised fresh concerns over Parliament's own accountability, with critics questioning whether lawmakers are truly committed to the oversight role they so often demand of others.
Sources indicate a significant number of senators were attending a function at State House, where President William Ruto was signing the Conflict of Interest Bill into law — a landmark legislation aimed at curbing graft and promoting transparency in public service.
Yesterday, CS Ogamba was scheduled to respond to a myriad of questions regarding the troubles in the education sector.
He was expected to explain the ministry’s plan to accelerate the construction of 18,000 Grade 9 classrooms nationwide.
“What other interventions is the ministry considering to ensure there are adequate learning spaces in schools countrywide?” a question by Senator Karen Nyamu reads.
In another question, Nyamu wanted the CS to state the interventions the ministry is implementing to address the looming crisis caused by the Sh43.4 billion budget shortfall in the sector.
The shortage, Nyamu argues, is threatening free primary and secondary education.
Ogamba was expected to explain immediate measures being implemented to ensure critical programmes such as capitation and national examinations are not disrupted.
“How is the ministry managing the impact of the current teacher shortages and delayed recruitment on the quality of education, especially in underserved and marginalised areas?” Nyamu posed.
He was also expected to address whether urgent steps are in place to ensure all schools have adequate and qualified teaching staff.
Ogamba was also supposed to explain measures taken by the ministry to prevent schools from withholding KCPE and KCSE certificates.
The CS was also scheduled to explain why junior secondary school teachers are being assigned subjects outside their areas of specialisation in the question posed by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu.
“What measures has the ministry put in place to ensure clear role definition and manageable workloads for JSS teachers, who are currently compelled to also teach in the primary section, despite the already high demands at JSS level?” the question states.
For CS Tuya, she was supposed to state the whereabouts and condition of a sergeant, who has been missing since 2016.
“What was the justification for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) issuing Certificates of Presumption of Death to the families of missing KDF soldiers, particularly in light of the recent emergence of videos of two officers indicating that they could be alive in captivity?” a question by Wajir Senator Abass Sheikh states.
CS Miano was expected to explain the current status of the tourism sector in Kenya and how recent trends in tourist arrivals compare between domestic and international visitors.
“What factors have contributed to the recent decline in international tourist arrivals, particularly in contrast with the performance of other East African destinations?” a question by nominated Senator Joyce Korir reads.
Previously, senators have severely criticised the CSs for skipping their invites to respond to their questions.
Among the CSs who have run into troubles with the senators for their no-show are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Miano, Deborah Barasa (Environment), John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Davis Chirchir (Transport).
“Before the end of this year, you [speaker] should do a letter, especially to the head of state himself [about the conduct of the CS],” Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi said recently.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale had said, “I beg you [speaker] today to sanction them otherwise the Senate will look like a baraza in Malinya. That cannot be the case.”
