Cheruiyot demands stricter penalties for Cabinet Secretaries skipping parliamentary summons
By William Muthama, September 24, 2025Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has called for tougher measures against Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) who fail to appear before Parliament, following Lands CS Alice Wahome’s late notification of her absence.
Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Cheruiyot criticised the practice of sending last-minute letters, saying it undermines Parliament’s authority.
“You cannot write to us at 7:00 pm for an appearance the following day. In fact, so serious is this matter that I have taken the trouble to attend a cabinet retreat today, chaired by none other than the President, to raise this issue,” he said.
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Cheruiyot added that such actions constitute “serious contempt against Parliament”, pointing out that CSs must recognise their new roles as ministers, separate from their previous positions as Members of Parliament.
He urged Speaker Amason Kingi and the Powers and Privileges Committee to enforce the report previously passed by the Senate, which recommends fines or sanctions for officials who fail to honour summons.
“We have already passed that report in this House. It is for you to adopt and guide the House so that people begin to treat this House with the seriousness that it deserves,” Cheruiyot said.
The senator highlighted the contrast with other CSs, such as the Agriculture CS, who provided adequate notice for their appearance.
“It is not wrong not to appear, but at least give us notice in good time,” he noted, stressing that last-minute communications, like the one sent by CS Wahome, disrupt Senate proceedings and planning.
Cheruiyot concluded by urging Parliament to act decisively, calling on the Powers and Privileges Committee to protect the institution from repeated embarrassments.
“I want to request of you, Mr Speaker, and the team that you lead at Powers and Privilege, rescue us from this kind of embarrassment that we find ourselves in every other Wednesday morning,” he said.