Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said that the oversight function of parliament plays a big role as the cornerstone of democracy.
Mudavadi said the oversight provides the means to hold the country’s Executive accountable for all its actions, as well as ensuring alignment with legislated business and the aspirations of the people of Kenya.
The Prime CS was speaking at the retreat of the Senate Liaison Committee on Tuesday and insisted that the oversight by parliament is also a testament of good governance in Kenya.
“The importance of Parliamentary Questioning is paramount in advancing good governance, transparent leadership and the retention of public trust.
“A robust oversight of the Executive by Parliament is a testament to good governance. Beyond its legislative role, oversight empowers Parliament to maintain a balance of power and uphold its role as the guardian of the people’s interests,” Muadavadi said.
He thanked President William Ruto for establishing a structure that promotes institutional linkages between the Executive and both Houses of Parliament (Senate and National Assembly).
On December 9, 2022, President Ruto wrote to parliament to consider implementing mechanisms within the Standing Orders to facilitate the participation of Cabinet Secretaries in Parliamentary proceedings, particularly by responding to questions raised by Senators.
Parliament made the amendments to Standing orders and Cabinet Secretaries have been appearing before the Senate to answer to questions raised by legislators.
Mudavadi said his office has developed a Liaison Framework that seeks to anchor and augment the contemporary liaison relationship between the two arms of Government.
He said this collaborative framework codifies the basic elements of liaison between officers from both arms of Government for effective and efficient operations in the House.
The PCS said that once operationalized, the framework will ensure a seamless relationship in the discharge of Government business in Parliament.
“In building synergies and exploring interlinkages between Senate committees and the Executive, the Liaison Framework provides an effective mechanism to ensure appearances of Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other Senior ranks of the Executive.
“Furthermore, the Framework shall provide a clear guideline on timely responses from the Executive with respect to questions or inquiries from the Standing Committees of the Senate,” he said.
Mudavadi added that the new framework also provides a transparent and accountable follow-up mechanism on the implementation of Parliamentary Resolutions and National Executive Undertakings to Parliament.
The Prime CS further noted that the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs is spearheading the establishment of a Legislative Agenda Tracking Information System (LATIS).
“This technology-driven platform will onboard all MDAs involved in the policy and law formulation process and enable an end-to-end tracking and real-time reporting of ongoing policy, legislative formulation and development work,” he said.
