Increased Fines for CSs & Governors for Snubbing Summons
Increased Fines for CSs & Governors for Snubbing Summons
Increased Fines for CSs & Governors for Snubbing Summons
Senators are planning to raise the penalties for governors and cabinet secretaries who neglect to appear before parliamentary committees.In the course of discussing the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Senator Godfrey Osotsi of Vihiga, the senators suggested raising the existing Ksh500,000 fine to Ksh5 million.
Specifically, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed his opinion that the present fee was insufficient for public employees who routinely miss appointments to committees that look into a variety of national security issues.He pointed out that stricter sanctions were required since certain public employees had repeatedly demonstrated their disrespect for Parliament.
However, he urged his colleagues to devise other plans that would guarantee the quick payment of the penalty. He gave examples of how people’s property was seized by courts when they didn’t pay their fines.”Ksh500,000 is a slap on the wrist for someone who disregarded a summons to Parliament.” Rich and conceited people reject parliamentary summonses.
“We must set up procedures for getting this money back. I am aware that certain public servants were punished for failing to present, but they haven’t paid up to this point,” he said.
Senator Johnes Mwaruma of Taita Taveta, for his part, stated that harsher penalties will increase compliance with summonses and disclosed that public employees frequently pay the Ksh500,000 fee minutes after receiving it.”That fine is insufficient. The Senator expressed her opinion that some of them use mobile money to pay the penalty.
Notably, the Bill put forth by Senator Osotsi also specifies the steps that would be taken to ensure that public employees are found and prosecuted should they disregard a summons.
According to the bill, after the wanted public official is caught, the Clerk of Parliament will work with the Inspector General of Police to arrange for their presentation before a committee.
According to the proposals, “A person arrested under subsection (3) shall be held at a location designated by the Clerk for the purpose of holding such persons, or as specified in the National Police Service Act; and (b) be produced before a court, the House, or the committee that summoned that person on the next working day.”
