The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, has called upon the Leader of Majority Party and the Leader of Minority Party to take immediate action against the Chairperson Public Petitions Committee, following his absenteeism during plenary sessions. 

Expressing concern over the absence of Hon. Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Speaker Wetang’ula noted that this situation has not only failed to serve the interests of the House but also hindered the Committee's business and resulted in a backlog of unresolved petitions.

“The substantial number of pending petitions before this Committee demands swift attention. If this situation persists, I urge the Leader of Majority Party or the Leader of Minority Party to consider reconstituting the committee to better serve the public,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.

He added that, "Members of the public place their hopes on Members of Parliament to address their issues. Consequently, by allowing petitions to accumulate without resolution, we are letting down the citizens we are meant to represent,”

Supporting Speaker Wetang’ula's sentiments, the Leader of Minority Party Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, noted that it was not the first time concern was being raised by House leadership regarding the absence of the Public Petitions Committee's leadership.

“It is high time we address this matter decisively, as this committee deals with the highest number of issues presented to the House on a daily basis,” Hon. Wandayi said.

Echoing the call for action, the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, expressed his regret over the repeated absence of the chair of the Public Petitions Committee. He urged Committee Members to take appropriate action, including the possibility of impeaching the current chair and electing a more committed Member to lead the Committee. 

“Responsibility as a Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of a Committee comes with a duty to be present in the House and in your Committee,” Hon. Ichung’wah noted.