The Leader of Minority Hon Junet Mohamed has urged MPs to actively participate in the process of developing legislation proposals.
Hon Junet said it was important for the MPs to keenly be part of the process in the National Assembly from the beginning up to the end to ensure quality laws are enacted.
“I have noticed that some legislators only interacted with the Bills after being published. As a result, they lack a lot of information about the document because they have not been part of the process of making it,” said the Suna MP.
Hon. Junet made the remarks during the National Assembly Leadership retreat that kicked off in Nakuru on Monday.
The National Assembly Speaker Rt.Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula opened the retreat whose theme is “Re-invigorating synergy in Leadership for accelerated discharge of the mandate of the National Assembly”.
Majority Leader Hon Kimani Ichungwa’h, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Hon Opiyo Wandayi, and Clerk of the National Assembly Mr Samuel Njoroge also attended the session.
Hon Junet pointed out that the process of developing the legislative proposals was critical hence the need for unwavering attention of all the members.
He added that members of the public were fed on propaganda about many proposed legislations leading to an outcry that sabotaged the process being undertaken by the House.
“MPs as representatives of the people are mandated to create awareness about such legislative proposals and they can only do that effectively if they have information about the document,” he added.
About the Finance Bill 2023 that was withdrawn after the countrywide demonstration, Hon Junet noted that the Bill ran into trouble due to misinformation.
He added that in order to avoid a repeat of such a crisis Members ought to take their legislative mandate seriously.
The Minority Leader called for enhancement of capacity building for legislators to be able to sharpen their skills so as to discharge their mandate effectively.
“Members especially first timers require regular training on their roles as MPs and legislative process to be effective in their legislative duties,” he added.
While quoting former South Africa president Nelson Mandela who said “It is good to lead from the front but don’t leave your best behind”, Hon Junet noted that both veterans and first-timer MPs should move at the same pace on knowledge of their mandate as legislators.
On the retreat, Hon Junet noted that the exercise, the second of the 13th Parliament, was critical as it gave an opportunity to the Leadership of the House to evaluate the performance of the House and plan ahead.
“The retreat will empower Members to be able to discharge their duties more professionally, and effectively and help to cement unity and teamwork by Members as they discharge their duties,” he added.
