- The National Assembly resumes next week Tuesday after a long recess, but the opposition has threatened to shoot down Ruto's plan.
- Raila has opposed the idea calling it a departure from the country’s structure of government.
Image: FILE
A political showdown is looming in Parliament with President William Ruto pushing to have House rules amended to allow Cabinet Secretaries to appear in the Chamber.
The President is keen to have his Cabinet given access to the August House to not only respond to members' questions but also outline the government's development priorities.
The National Assembly resumes next week Tuesday after a long recess, but the opposition has threatened to shoot down Ruto's plan.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition under Raila Odinga has opposed the idea calling it a departure from the country’s structure of government.
However, the President's allies have maintained that process will strengthen accountability and transparency in the country's democracy.
When President Ruto addressed MPs in Mombasa this week, he pitched for a strong Parliament anchored on the principles of accountability and oversight.
Ruto said his administration will push to have the Cabinet answer questions in Parliament, saying he has no intention of interfering with its independence.
“In keeping with this commitment to enhancing government accountability, I have formally requested Parliament to formulate within its procedures a mechanism for Cabinet Secretaries to appear before the House and give account to the people’s representatives,” Ruto told MPs in Mombasa on Monday.
However, opposition MPs are of the opinion that, unless the Constitution is reviewed, the move will tinker with the country’s governance structure.
Currently, CSs can only appear before departmental committees of the bicameral House to respond to questions and petitions touching on their relevant ministries.
National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, the defacto head of the opposition in Parliament has warned against the proposal.
"Are we sure we want to be the assembly that could not take a stand whether we are a presidential or a parliamentary system? Can’t we make up our minds for once?” he posed.
The Ugunja MP argued that such a move will radically interfere with the fundamentals of democracy and separation of powers.
Ruto's proposal has the backing of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula who has welcomed the idea.
“To attend a session of the House to answer specific questions regarding their ministries; that is a sign of good governance and being accountable to the people,” Wetang’ula said in Mombasa.
However, with the Kenya Kwanza troops expected to use their numbers to push through amendments to the House Standing Orders, a major showdown looms next week.
The current House rules do not permit any other person except MPs from accessing the chamber, terming them as strangers.