A report has shown that 13 MPs did not contribute to any debate in the National Assembly last year, 70% of these MP are allied to Jubilee alliance with William Ruto’s URP taking a lion’s share of 4.
The report by a parliamentary monitoring group shows that three of the 13 legislators are yet to give their maiden speech.
“Of these silent members 10 represent constituencies, two are women representatives and one is a nominated representative,†the report stated.
MPs who did not contribute to any debate are Abdullahi Banticha (Isiolo South-URP), Alexander Kosgey (Emgwen-URP), Benjamin Andayi (Khwisero-UDF), Benson Mbai (Masinga-WIPER), Charles Gimose (Hamisi UDF), Chris Bichage (Nyaribari Chache- NOT IN PARLIAMENT anymore), Lemanken Aramat (Narok East-URP), Maweu Katatha (Kangundo-WIPER) Steven Kariuki of Mathare constituency ODM who served only 4 months as he came in on a by election, and Sammy Koech of Konoin URP.
Three representatives who have not given their maiden speech are nominated MP Janet Teiyaa, Kilifi County Women representative Aisha Katana and her Kisii counterpart Mary Keraa.
BEST DEBATERS
The report by Mzalendo Trust released on Sunday ranked Suba MP John Mbadi as the most active contributor to debate in the National Assembly while nominated MP Amina Abdalla was the leading woman legislator for a second year running.
In the Senate, Moses Wetangula (Bungoma) and Beatrice Elachi (nominated) emerged as the best debaters based on the numbers tallied.
The report indicated an improvement in parliamentarians’ performance compared to the 2013 report.
Over 150 MPs gave between 20 and 100 contributions to debate in the house unlike in 2013 where over a third of them spoke less than 10 times each.
ACTIVE SENATORS
According to the report, about 50 per cent of the Senators spoke over 100 times, a great improvement from the 2013 record where 30 per cent were active.
“We believes this information is of great public interest as Parliamentarians are custodians of peoples’ sovereign power. It therefore follows they should be open to scrutiny and accountable to the country for their time in the House,†Mzalendo Executive Director Jessica Musila said.
According to Mzalendo Trust, contribution to debate is one of the key metrics in ensuring an MP fulfills his overall responsibility of representation, oversight and legislation.
Mzalendo Trust monitors Parliament and makes information on parliamentarians and their activities accessible to the public.