Twenty-seven Members of Parliament out of the 349 did not contribute to plenary discussions in the House in 2015, according to a new report.
Three of the most silent MPs are from Nairobi County, Mzalendo Trust reveals in its 2015 report card on MPs’ performance in the National Assembly and the Senate. And although all the senators spoke in Senate plenary sessions, Mzalendo names Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko and nominated Senator Hosea Ochwangi as the worst performers in the year under review.
Mzalendo’s report claims that of the 27 MPs who did not contribute to plenary sessions in the Assembly, five have never given their maiden speech, meaning they have never ever spoken a word in the House. Those named in the Mzalendo report include Alex Kosgey (Emgwen), who was named in a similar report last year.
Others are Kipruto Moi (Rongai), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Gonzi Rai (Kinango), a long serving Coast MP, and Tirus Ngahu (Kangema).
According to Mzalendo Trust, the findings reveal a continuing trend in which a third of the MPs hardly contribute anything of substance to debates in Parliament.
Mzalendo has termed MPs’ performance in the year as dismissal overall. “Although the number of speech counts in plenary discussions is not indicative of the quality of input, it could allude to low capacity to exercise their parliamentarian roles,” said Ms Jessica Musila, Mzalendo Trust’s executive director.
She said no single lawmaker can afford to remain silent in Parliament given the high level of poverty among Kenyans and poor services in the country.
Most active members
Meanwhile, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa was named the most active contributor in the National Assembly, alongside Taveta’s Naomi Shaban. In the Senate, Fatuma Dullo (nominated) and Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni), were named as the leading contributors in 2015, according to the report.
The most active committee chairmen were also named in the Mzalendo report: Dr Boni Khalwale (Public Accounts Committee) in the Senate and Mr Samuel Chepkonga (Justice and Legal Affairs Committee) in the National Assembly.
The debate report card for MPs is compiled by Mzalendo.com based on the official Hansard contributions published by Parliament after each sitting.
Corruption, devolution, education, health, special interests such as youth, women and people with disabilities were among the most debated topics in the both Houses in 2015.
Other subjects were political parties, agriculture, access to justice, security, gender, infrastructure, land, tax and revenue, culture, sports, human rights, marriage, environment, mining and business.
The list of 27 Members of the National Assembly who did not speak in 2015
1. Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticha (Isiolo) – Isiolo South
2. Alexander Kimutai Kigen Kosgey Kosgey (Nandi) – Emgwen
3. Arthur Papa Odera (Busia) – Teso North
4. Bernard Alfred Wekesa Sambu (Bungoma) – Webuye East
5. David Karithi (Meru) – Tigania West
6. Gideon Mung’aro Maitha (Kilifi) – Kilifi North
7. Gideon Sitelu Konchella (Narok) – Kiligoris
8. Hezron Awiti Bollo (Mombasa) – Nyali
9. Ibrahim Ahmed Abass (Garissa) – Ijara
10. Isaac Waihenya Ndirangu (Nairobi) – Roysambu
11. James Ondicho Gesami (Nyamira) – West Mugirago
12. Joash Odhiambo Olum (Nairobi) – Langata
13. John Ogutu Omondi (Nairobi) – Embakasi East
14. Joshua Aduma Owuor (Kisumu) – Nyakach
15. Kipruto Moi (Nakuru) – Rongai
16. Lemanken Aramat (Narok) – Narok East
17. Maalim Mohamud Mohamed (Mandera) – Mandera West
18. Mathias Nyamabe Robi (Migori) – Kuria West
19. Mwalimu Masoud Mwahima (Mombasa) – Likoni
20. Oscar Kipchumba Sudi (Uasin Gishu) – Kapseret
21. Peter Njuguna Gitau (Kirinyaga) – Mwea
22. Samuel Gonzi Rai (Kwale) – Kinango
23. Shadrack Roger Mwita Manga (Migori)- Kuria East
24. Tirus Nyingi Ngahu (Murang’a) – Kangema
25. Vincent Musyoka Musau (Machakos) – Mwala
26. Eusilah Jepkosgei Ngeny (Uasin Gishu) – Women Rep
27. Jane Agnes Wanjira Machira (Laikipia) – Women Rep
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