NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 4 – Azimio Senators have demanded the submission of the Affordable Housing Bill 2023 to the 47 counties for public participation.
The Senators who stormed out of plenary chaired by Speaker Amason Kingi accused their government counterpart of using shortcuts to fast track bills.
Deputy Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna claimed that the legislative process has been captured by the executive with debates by Azimio senators stifled to hurriedly pass bills.
“They are a lot of bills which are being forwarded in the Senate to undermine devolution. They are mostly fast tracked like the Housing Bill which we are saying must be forwarded in all counties,” he said.
The Housing Bill was forwarded to the Senate last week after MPs overwhelmingly voted to pass the Bill despite opposition.
The Bill was passed by MPs allied to President William Ruto without amendments suggested by Azimio.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo accused Speaker Kingi of allowing unconstitutionality to reign in the passage of key bills.
“We insist that they electorate have a right to participate in this bill and what to expect. That’s why we are here as elect representative,” he stated.
Sifuna insisted they must have their input on the controversial bill even though they will face stiff opposition.
“When you a situation where instead of first allowing the minority to have their way ,you come to limit debate and rush the vote. We are outnumbered but we must on the record their views of the people,” he stated.
The Kilifi Senator also demanded immediate recusal of members of the Speaker’s panel notorious for stifling debate from the minority side and not applying house rules equally.
Madzayo expressed frustration that some members of the speaker’s panel appear to be under instruction to allow frivolous points of order whenever a member of the minority is on the floor.
He pointed an accusing finger at Nominated Senator Veronica Maina who sits at the panel for meting out harsh punishment on the minority side.
“Despite a formal complaint written to the Speaker on the Conduct of Hon Maina, the Speaker has neither acted nor even had the courtesy to respond to the complaint,” he said.
Kingi has been accused of ignoring communication from the minority side on various matters including reorganization of committees.
Madzayo decried that the speaker had refused to act on communications months after they were communicated to him.
“The Speaker has made it impossible for members to present matters affecting the electorate for debate on the floor. The speaker has rapidly and without legal justification refused to approve questions and motions sponsored by members of the Minority,” the Kilifi Senator stated.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Ledama Ole Kina bashed the government for plagiarizing and hijacking private members bills sponsored by members of the minority side.
He alleged that the Ministry of Health plagiarized the digital health bill initially sponsored by Senator Hamida Kibwana .
“The moment she submit the proposal, through the processes of Parliament, one way or the other, it lands into the hands of greedy hyenas waiting at the executive,” Kina claimed.