Lawmakers have been accused by some observers of ignoring the interests of the people they represent and instead focusing on issues that should not even be featured in public debate.
Congressional candidates make grand promises to voters during election campaigns, but once in office, there is little effort to fulfill them.
Kenyans argue that most of the public participation movements launched by parliamentarians are superficial. A case in point is the Finance Bill 2024. Despite widespread public opposition, Congress passed the bill. From June to August, dissatisfaction among Kenyans, especially young people, reached unprecedented levels, with many moving from online activism to street protests and calling for improved governance.
Demonstrators also called for the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to recall MPs who have neglected their parliamentary duties.
Issues have been raised of the “tyranny of numbers,” which some describe as a significant obstacle to making important decisions. The ruling coalition has been criticized for using its parliamentary majority to force votes on unpopular bills and motions.
Allegations of bribery
Lawmakers are often accused of undermining their mandate by passing unpopular bills, some of which end up being challenged in court.
Meanwhile, they are focusing on issues that directly affect their role, such as the ruling that declared the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) unconstitutional. Recently, Juja MP George Coimbri faced backlash from his fellow MPs when he claimed that MPs were being offered 2 million lice per person to vote in favor of the Finance Bill 2024.
Speaker of Parliament Moses Wetanwura was forced to intervene, warning that such unsubstantiated claims could damage the reputation of the House.
“Any allegation of corrupt practices, bribery, or attempted bribery violates parliamentary privilege and deserves urgent investigation and resolution,” Wetan-Ula said.
Coimbri later apologized to the House of Commons.
This week’s impeachment motion against Vice President Ligachi Gachagua also sparked debate about lawmakers’ priorities. The House of Representatives was unusually full during the proceedings.
Interestingly, the parliamentary proceedings had to be adjourned to the next day due to lack of quorum.
During the impeachment debate, two members of Congress criticized the National Assembly’s decisions and priorities.
Stay informed. Subscribe to newsletter
Kashiani MP Robert Mbuyi noted that the vice president’s impeachment was the first motion in which the House of Representatives took the movement for public participation to the constituency level.
“I wish the energy we are spending here on one individual could have been used to address issues of education, health and cost of living. These are issues that this House should be passionate about. ,” Mbuyi said.
court ruling
Kitui lawmaker Makari Muri criticized the House of Representatives for passing a law that was later ruled unconstitutional by the courts.
“This happens because we came here to scream, forgetting that Kenyans are watching us,” Muri said.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has repeatedly accused Kenya’s Kwanzaa regime of occupying parliament and called for meaningful public participation on issues that affect Kenyans.
Wamalwa argued that Parliament should be free to exercise its oversight and law-making role to ensure that Kenyans’ views on important issues are implemented.
“Public participation is not a favoritism. It is a constitutional obligation, it gives people the power to implement their views, and it must be implemented,” Wamalwa said in a recent radio interview. He spoke at
Last month, the High Court declared the NG-CDF unconstitutional, saying the council has no role in dealing with development issues that fall under the county government’s jurisdiction and must cease operation by June 30, 2026. It was decided that there was.
Lawmakers reintroduced the NG-CDF even though it had been declared unconstitutional by the High Court. The court ruled that the fund violated the separation of powers.
Following the latest court ruling declaring the NG-CDF unconstitutional, Congress argues that the fund plays an important role in the constituency, and lawyers will challenge the decision in the Court of Appeals He showed his intention.
