Adani deals expose how lawmakers lack coherence, bow to presidential will - MP
By Lucy Mumbi |
MP Mbui pointed out that MPs have failed to maintain independent positions, undermining the electorate’s trust.
Kathiani MP Robert Mbui has criticised Members of Parliament, describing them as easily manipulated by the Executive.
While citing recent instances where parliamentary decisions appeared swayed by President William Ruto's preferences, Mbui pointed out that MPs have failed to maintain independent positions, undermining the electorate’s trust.
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Highlighting the Finance Bill as a case in point, he stated that the bill initially received unanimous parliamentary support but was swiftly abandoned after the President rescinded it amidst public backlash.
"Parliament passed the Finance Bill, but once the President realised the public discontent, he called MPs to State House, withdrew the bill and they cheered him. It was shocking," Mbui said during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday.
The MP also referenced the controversial Adani deals, which faced criticism for its lack of transparency.
Initially backed by legislators, the deals affecting the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) were later cancelled by the President, a move that once again saw MPs applaud the announcement.
"I think he has exposed Parliament for what it is. Unfortunately, most members cannot make decisions based on their mandate to represent the people. Instead, they align with the Executive's wishes," he added.
President Ruto, in his State of the Nation address last Thursday, justified the cancellation of the Adani deals, citing credible evidence from relevant agencies that raised concerns about the contractor’s integrity.
The United States has charged Gautam Adani, chair of the Adani Group, with allegedly paying Sh30 billion in bribes to secure solar energy contracts in India.
In Kenya, one of the Adani deals involved a Sh260 billion plan to modernise the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over 30 years and Sh95 billion to develop transmission lines under the Public Private Partnership model.
The proposal sparked public outrage, with many Kenyans questioning its lack of clarity and suspecting it could become a conduit for corruption.
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