MPs put the PM on the rack over his relationship with the President,
divisions in Government and the maize saga during the 45-minute session.
Raila, however, gave couples agonising over a discriminatory policy a
relief by revoking a Treasury directive prohibiting employment of
married couples in the Finance ministry parastatals.
"I have directed the Finance ministry to withdraw the directive and
maintain the status quo. Marriage itself is not an automatic ground for
conflict of interest or recipe for corruption," Raila said to loud
applause.
Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo had asked why the Government had decided that
married couples should not work in departments or authorities under the
Ministry of Finance.
Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua had asked the heads of Central Bank, Kenya
Revenue Authority and other agencies under the ministry to implement
the directive and have couples decide who would quit.
Interrupted by MPs
The question, forwarded by Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo, who was absent,
was the first in the official session designated by the new Standing
Orders as PM's Question Time from 3pm every Wednesday.
Yesterday Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka with whom Raila tussled for
leadership of Government Business in the House was absent during the
premier's inaugural session.
Kalonzo was, however, present in the evening when he concluded debate on the President's address to Parliament.
Raila was interrupted by MPs as he delivered a statement on Government
policy. MPs sought assurance that his statement reflected the actual
Government position, saying in the past the public has been treated to
contradictory remarks by coalition partners.
Kiema stirred the hornet's nest saying: "Kenyans are suffering. If the
President and PM are not talking, how do Kenyans know the directive
(revoking Treasury's circular) is agreed upon by the coalition
partners?"
In response, Raila chided the MP for the erroneous statement, saying
the President and PM "speak at all times even if they don't meet".
Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa caused laughter when he said the oppressive
directive would endanger marriages. "There are people who would not
relinquish their jobs and would rather relinquish their partners," Mr
Wamalwa said.
Executive powers
Garsen MP Danson Mungatana wondered whether the PM's directive was a
perpetuation of conflict in Government given that the Finance minister
has executive powers.
But Raila said there was no conflict since the two are complementary, not contradictory.
"I agree the Finance minister has executive powers, just like his Local
Government counterpart due to the nature of the job," he said.
Raila said the Cabinet had approved the increase of the retirement age
from 55 to 60 years and sanctioned the policy barring access of pension
funds for those who had not attained retirement age.
After answering MP Kilonzo's question, the PM embarked on an address,
but nominated MP George Nyamweya interjected, saying the Chair should
not shield the PM and MPs be allowed to interrogate him.
Although Speaker Kenneth Marende said he would rule on the matter,
Raila's speech on a wide range of issues ran into trouble with
Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto.
"I thought the session was meant to allow members to interrogate the PM
on the performance of Government. If he takes a long time on a speech,
I am afraid the session is not worth the time," Mr Ruto said.
Raila defended himself, saying it was fitting he makes a policy
statement on the first day and added he had dealt with the only
question asked.
Hardly had he exhausted the subject of judicial and police reforms than
Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau interjected, asking him whether the policies
outlined had been discussed in Cabinet or were from his office.
Raila dismissed the point of order as irrelevant, saying he was the PM of Kenya.
Maize consignment
On the controversy surrounding a condemned maize consignment, Raila
said the Cabinet sub-committee on food security had received three
different test results from the Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kephis and
Government Chemist.
The committee, he added, resolved that irrespective of the results, the consignment was unfit for human consumption.
But Kiema stood on a point of order and accused the PM of misleading
the House. "Kebs made it clear that the maize should not be offloaded
and should be sent back to South Africa. Where was it taken and who
consumed it?" he asked.
He said the PM was "purporting to be Government", prompting Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojodeh to complain.
The Standard
Post published in: Zimbabwe News