Budget reading now a low key event

By GEOFFREY MOSOKU

Kenya: The presentation of Budget was the first of its kind since Independence as Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich became the first non-parliamentarian to address a House session.

This is after the new Constitution that was promulgated in 2010, abolished Cabinet ministers who were traditionally picked from among legislators with the President now picking technocrats who are not House members.

Rotich, arrived at Parliament buildings in the company of his Devolution counterpart Anne Waiguru shortly before 3pm and was ushered into the front bench taking the seat normally reserved for Leader of Majority. And as a departure from the past, President Uhuru Kenyatta was not among those in the House, a scene that Kenyans have repeatedly witnessed as Uhuru’s predecessors always graced the event.

The event, in accordance with the Financial Management Act and Standing Orders was presided over by the chairman of Budget committee Mutava Musyimi and not National Assembly Speaker.

Speaker Justin Muturi left the Chamber immediately after 3pm when Leader of Majority Aden Duale moved an Adjournment Motion to allow Rotich present his speech and followed the events from his office.

With Jubilee priding itself as a digital generation Government, Rotich read the presentation from an iPad in spite of coming to the House with the traditional briefcase.

The exit of the Speaker also meant that the mace — symbol of Parliament authority — was removed from the chambers as a sign that Rotich’s presentation was like facing an ordinary session of a parliamentary committee.

Members of the National Assembly were informed that they will not interrogate the Treasury Secretary’s speech on the floor of the House or even interrupt it, as Standing Orders do not allow for that.

It’s only, Ms Waiguru who sat in the debating chambers alongside Rotich as their colleagues Dr Fred Matiangi, Jacob Kaimenyi, Michael Kamau, Raychelle Omamo, Macharia Kamau and Phyllis Kandie sat in the Speaker’s gallery. Investment Secretary Esther Koimett sat in the Diplomatic Box, but there was a moment of confusion when one of the parliamentary orderlies wanted to eject her until she was forced to produce her invitation card and job identity.

Senators, who essentially could have been part of the House, were conspicuously absent during the over one hour speech.

The speech was kept short and precise unlike in the past when it took the whole afternoon with Kenyans following live proceedings on TV often witnessing some legislators taking naps. After the presentation, the MPs and Rotich mingled freely exchanging pleasantries at the open parking lot, which had been converted into a sitting area with tents set up.

The police band that always graced the day was also absent with only a small band from the Administration Police entertaining guests.