Nairobi — Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba was forced to swallow the humble pie and apologize to the MPs on Wednesday afternoon over a letter he addressed to the house where he appeared to invite himself before the house.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula pushed Namwamba to apologize before the house saying the letter addressed to him was inadvisable directing him to withdraw the content of the letter.
"The content of that letter was giving value judgement. Minister you will be required to rescind the content of the letter, tender an apology to the house," Wetangula directed.
Namwamba had written to the house following his summon for appearance to answer to concerns on mismanagement of his docket claiming saying they were mere 'hearsays.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa tabled the letter by Namwamba before the house which he termed as 'extremely condescending' saying it's interpretation amounted to ridicule of the house mandate.
"No MP is here serving under the whims of any Cabinet Secretary. We are here as the people's representative to oversight Cabinet Secretaries in line with our mandate. I find the letter condescending to the institution of Parliament," Ichungwa said.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi expressed that Cabinet Secretaries should cease contemplating give orders to the House since the role of the lawmakers calls for their oversight.
"This house can choose to transact its business in the manner they deem fit.Its not for anyone else to direct how to transact business. Including the business on how to invite people to this house," said Wandayi.
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Ruaraka MP T.J Kajwang pointed out that the letter addressed to the house was a disorderly conduct saying if its left unaddressed will pave way for the Cabinet Secretaries to erode the sanctity of the house on accountability purposes.
"Right now there is disorder in the house and until the order is solved the house cannot conduct further business. When we changed the standing orders to allow CSs to address the house through statement we didn't give them the privilege to walk to the house," Kajwang said.
"They must know they are strangers and right now the much they are is witnesses.We invite them time to time in our own wisdom," he added.
Namwamba has been on the spot following details that the welfare of the Kenyan team that participated in the Special Olympics held in Berlin, Germany, in June 2023 was mismanaged.
MPs had pointed an accusing finger at Namwamba over some members complained about the reception of the 25 athletes when they jetted back to the country after the Special Olympics games held from 15 to 25 June.
