Speaker allows Uhuru to transact House business

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta was on the spot again in Parliament for failure to answer questions directed to his ministry.

Last week, acting temporary Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso barred Uhuru from transacting business in Parliament after he failed to explain the rapid depreciation of the shilling since June.

The order meant that Uhuru could not transact any business in Parliament as a Cabinet minister until he issued a statement on the shilling’s collapse to the satisfaction of the Speaker.

The sanction followed a complaint by Gwasi MP John Mbadi, who accused Uhuru of evading a question on the shilling raised in June.

On Tuesday, Uhuru found himself on the spot again when instead of answering a question by Gichugu MP Martha Karua, he opted to write to the Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende explaining why he could not. Uhuru explained that following the sanctions he opted to write to the Speaker for directions instead of answering a question.

The Speaker lifted the sanctions against the minister after he (Uhuru) explained that he wrote to him because of the sanctions.

Marende cautioned Uhuru against writing to the Speaker about his inability to answer questions and instead directly address the House on such issues.

"You are directly answerable to the House and not to the Speaker. If you are unable to answer questions you should delegate," said Marende.