The National Assembly Speaker is the institution charged with the duty of leading the legislative agenda of the country and setting the tone for public debate on pieces of legislation that regulate lives, livelihoods, social mores and economic indices.
Being this crucial means their composition is a big deal since their oversight role is the lifeblood of the country’s heartbeat. They do not all have the same powers or persuasion but the House Business Committee is top dog.
It is closely followed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investment Committee (PIC) which are meant to audit key accounts and deliberations and are meant to act as checks and balances on the Executive. In practice, the PAC and the PIC should ideally be chaired by the Official Opposition to check any impunity or “tyranny” likely to be driven by the political party with overwhelming numbers.
This is, however, not the case in the Eleventh Parliament that has seen the ruling Jubilee coalition possess unassailable numbers on the floor of both lower and upper Houses. Their majority has seen Jubilee stake claim to chair most of these. Regardless of where you sit, this might not be a sobering thought as the ring-fence key parliamentary committees.
Of course, the ruling coalition MPs are revelling in this state of affairs as they feel their superior numbers will allow them carte blanche to implement the Jubilee Manifesto, almost verbatim. But that is hardly what popular, democratic best practice dictates. The ensuing stalemate over formation of the two vital committees will further grow the chasm in the parliament as the Jubilee Coalition, which has majority of MPs in the House, angles to chair the PAC and the PIC, which CORD Coalition are laying claim as the minority.
As Leader of Majority Aden Duale says, “The Bible or Quran of parliament is the Standing Orders and they are clear on how committees are to be constituted. We have already allowed our colleagues to chair the two committees but we will not negotiate on the memberships.”
Scrutiny of estimates
And in that statement of finality and intent lies the seeds of discord that will hold everyone back. Not least because Budget estimates tabled in Parliament on Thursday should have been referred to departmental committees, which however are yet to be established due to the standoff over PIC and PAC — the committees required to start scrutiny of the estimates and submit their reports to the Budget and Appropriations Committee within 21 days.
Also, the Division of Revenue Bill, which shall divide revenue raised by the national government among the national and county levels of government, is also held up. Remember, this eagerly awaited Bill was tabled last week and the National Assembly is required to pass it not later than 10 days after introduction.
Are Jubilee MPs borrowing a leaf from the 8th Parliament when then Official Opposition was emasculated by selection of opposition party MPs to government? Should we brace for House business disruptions? This posturing and raising the din in the political echo chamber cannot be in the national interest.
