Kindiki, Wandayi in a spot for snubbing Senate

The Senate was thrown into disarray Wednesday after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki failed to attend a session to field questions.

Instead of appearing, the Senate was informed that Prof Kindiki had sent a letter stating he was unable to attend.

Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, who was the temporary Speaker during the morning session, informed the House that Kindiki had written to the Speaker, indicating he could not honour the invitation.

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“The Senate Business Committee excused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as he explained he could not attend today’s session. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also sent his apologies, as he is away on official duty,” said Sigei.

This sparked heated debate, with some senators defending Kindiki, while others accused him of snubbing the Senate.

Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale told the House that Kindiki did not appear to answer questions because he had been nominated as Deputy President, following Parliament’s impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, who consequently ceased to hold office.

Khalwale urged the Senate to stop summoning Kindiki for questions about the Interior Ministry, arguing that, according to Parliament, he was now the Deputy President and should only be summoned if questions pertained to that office.

“The Senate Secretariat should cease inviting Kindiki to answer questions as Interior Cabinet Secretary. He cannot appear before the House regarding the ministry, as Parliament has already approved him as Deputy President,” said Khalwale.

However, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua disagreed with Khalwale, arguing that no one had officially been appointed  as Deputy President. He noted that the matter was still before the court, which had delayed Kindiki’s swearing-in until the case filed by Gachagua, challenging his impeachment, was heard and determined.

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi insisted that Kindiki had already been nominated as Deputy President by the President and approved by Parliament. He stated that it was only a matter of time before Kindiki was sworn in, as Parliament had acted within its mandate to approve him.

“Kenyans should know that we have a new Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, who is awaiting swearing-in after being nominated by President William Ruto and approved by Parliament. It is just a matter of time,” said Mundigi.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna cautioned against discussing the matter, as it was already being handled by the court. He urged senators to await the verdict, noting that the courts had respected Parliament by not interfering with Gachagua’s impeachment process.

Sifuna remarked that some of the questions awaiting answers were six months old, lamenting the lengthy delays in engaging Cabinet Secretaries on pressing issues. He acknowledged the confusion surrounding the Interior Ministry but stressed that Cabinet Secretaries should be reminded of the need to promptly address current issues. He criticised Wandayi for failing to attend.

“Cabinet Secretaries are not taking Parliament’s work seriously. Critical issues in the energy sector, such as contracts with Adani Limited, need answers. I am disappointed in my brother Wandayi for not showing up,” said Sifuna.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo said the Senate must be respected, highlighting that senators could not wait six months for responses to questions.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya pointed out that Kindiki had always shown respect to both Houses of Parliament suggesting his absence was likely due to current events in the country.