Sports Cabinet Ababu Namwamba has expressed regret to the Parliament for sending a letter to the Speaker requesting his presence to address the debatable matters raised concerning his Ministry.
Due to the concerns raised by Majority Leader Kimani Ichun’gwa , Namwamba found himself in a position where he had to apologize. This was in response to a letter he had written to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Senate counterpart Amason Kingi, with a copy also sent to the Majority Leader.
During his speech on the House floor, Mp Kimani Ichung’wa pointed out that Namwamba had referred to the issues raised against his ministry as “Purporting” and “hearsay” in the letter.
The part of of Namwamba’s letter read as follows, “The attention of our ministry has been drawn to statements made respective by MP Kimani Ichungwa and Senator Simon Cherargei which statements purport to cast aspersions on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports…Among the immutable norms of parliamentary practice include non admissibility of hearsay and not condemning anyone unheard and in their absence.”
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The Majority Leader referred to the letter as “condescending to the institution of parliament “, Criticizing the CS, the Majority Leader accused him of implying that the legislators were raising issues based on “Hearsay”.
“For the record for this Cabinet Secretary and others, because some may be misguided to believe thatas leader of majority, I am here holding brief for Cabinet Secretaries, when it comes to matters of accountability, I will hold you to account as if I am the leader of minority,” said Ichung’wa.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wanday echoed the sentiment of the Majority Leader, faulting the Sports Cabinet Secretary for coming across as if he was instructing he House regarding its mandate.
“It is not for anybody else to direct this House how to go about transacting its business, including the business of inviting people to this house under Article 95. This House has the mandate to deal with issues concerning people.. And therefore this House is in order in order to raise those queries that it raised,” he said.
In his response, Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ accused Namwamba of trying to lecture Parliament by providing, “a lengthy lecture about hearsay and saying what we are doing here we are purporting.”
“And to allow this witness to write to the Speaker, where is even the protocol of writing to the Speaker?” posed Kajwang. “Now, how is it that a witness decides therefore, rises on a stool and decide to address the presiding officer of this house and lectures him accordingly.”
After receiving criticism from the MPs, Sport CS Ababu Namwamba issued an apology, stating, “Let me make it clear that the correspondence that has been referenced here was authored and conveyed in good faith and would apologized unreservedly if in any way that letter has created wrong..” said Namwamba.
“I therefore with a lot of respect, withdraw that correspondence and unreservedly send an apology to the honorable house.”
Namwamba on Wednesday appeared before the National Assembly plenary for questioning over allegations of failing in his role at the Sports docket.
