Four Ruto Ministers Summoned to Parliament Over Failures in Their Ministries

Four Cabinet Secretaries are under intense scrutiny from Members of Parliament.

They are facing demands for explanations and accountability on a range of critical issues within their respective ministries. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, acting Public Service CS Musalia Mudavadi, Health CS Aden Duale, and Education CS Julius Ogamba have been summoned to address Parliament over incidents ranging from alleged police brutality to public health emergencies and inequities in education policy.

The immediate focus centres on the deployment of anti-riot police at Butere Girls High School in Nakuru County on Thursday of last week. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen is expected to provide a detailed account of the incident, in which police allegedly used tear gas against students and harassed journalists covering the National Drama and Film Festival. Butere MP Tindi Mwale brought the matter to the floor of the House, condemning the actions as a violation of the student’s constitutional rights, specifically their artistic freedom guaranteed under Article 33. 

Parliament is demanding a comprehensive report from the Interior Ministry by next Thursday, detailing the rationale behind the deployment of anti-riot police and addressing concerns about the use of excessive force against minors. Simultaneously, Health CS Aden Duale is facing urgent questions regarding the government's response to a deadly outbreak of Kala-azar in northern Kenya. The disease has claimed over 30 lives, with Wajir County being particularly hard hit. 

Eldas MP Adan Keynan described the situation as an emergency during Wednesday's parliamentary session, emphasizing the immediate need for government intervention. Duale is expected to provide a detailed briefing on the number of cases, fatalities, and transmission rates in the affected region. He is also tasked with outlining both short-term and long-term strategies to contain the spread of the disease and prevent future outbreaks. MPs are calling for a clear roadmap, including the allocation of financial, logistical, and medical resources. 

Adding to the executive branch's challenges, acting Public Service CS Musalia Mudavadi, stepping in after the dismissal of his predecessor, Justin Muturi, is under pressure to address concerns over the classification of hardship areas for civil servants, particularly teachers. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed Mr Mudavadi to appear before the House next week to address the matter after MPs expressed concern that the current criteria used to define hardship areas are outdated, skewed, and discriminatory, impacting service delivery and development. 

Lawmakers, including Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, have called for a comprehensive review of the parameters used in classification, arguing that the dynamics of hardship areas have evolved significantly since the era of devolution. Areas that were once considered hardship zones have developed, while others facing modern challenges remain unclassified. The review is expected to ensure fairness and align the criteria with contemporary realities, addressing both allowances and broader issues of justice in service delivery.

The scrutiny extends to Education CS Julius Ogamba, who faces demands for answers on two critical issues within his ministry. Balambala MP Abdi Shurie has raised concerns over alleged discrimination against Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students in accessing Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds. The exclusion of KMTC students from HELB loans has been described as unjust, given that students from other public institutions are eligible. Speaker Wetang’ula has directed the committees on Health and Education to convene a meeting with Mr. Ogamba to resolve the matter. 

Furthermore, Mr Ogamba is under pressure to address complaints about the recruitment process for teachers, with MPs alleging that individuals who graduated earlier are being sidelined in favour of recent graduates, raising questions about fairness and transparency within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The Cabinet Secretary is also expected to provide insight into the Butere Girls High School incident, which has sparked widespread criticism.