MPs plot to remove sanctions for absenteeism

NAIROBI, KENYA: MPs are now plotting amendments that would shield them from the risk of losing their seats should they miss eight consecutive sittings of the House and give them more time for holiday.

A memorandum to the Speaker of the National Assembly seeks to amend the House standing orders to shield members from the risk of surrendering their seats if they fail to attend eight consecutive sittings of the House without written permission from the Speaker.

The motion, if supported would alter the requirement that has acted as a traditional safeguard against truant MPs and only require them to no 'notify' the Speaker of their intended absence.

Fueling the amendments is the fear that the provision exposes members to the machinations of their political opponents back at the constituency.

Already two members are the subject of a petition seeking to have them vacate their seats on grounds of missing sittings without the written permission of the Speaker.

The members, Rongai MP Raymond Moi and Emgwen MP Alexander Kosgei are set to appear before the House Committee on powers and Privileges to justify their perks as MPs.

Moi yesterday rose on the floor of the House to set the record straight, and blamed his predicament on his political opponents.

"It is a constitutional right for anyone to seek a petition. This petition is from Luka Kigen. I take my Parliament work very seriously. If there a times that I missed, I will be able to answer the questions to the satisfaction of the whole committee," he said.

Ironically, Kosgei was absent when called by speaker Joyce Laboso to speak to the debate.

John Mbadi (Suba) who is among those supporting the amendments said that the current provisions give too much supervisory roles to the Speaker.

"I hope that the petitioners are not stooges of people who are bitter having lost the elections and are using innocent Kenyans to petition parliament. The committee could be doing something more constructive. It should be appreciated that MPs have other responsibilities, apart from legislation, which require their attention. I find the provision misguided and misplaced. It is too dictatorial and gives the Speaker too much supervisory power," he said.

Under section 103 1(b) of the constitution, a member risks losing his parliamentary seat if he is absent without written permission from the Speaker for eight consecutive sitting of the House.

This requirement has however proved to be a bitter pill for some MPs some of who argue that it does not take into account their work in the committees.