Motion to sack Education CS fails

A censure motion against Education CS Jacob Kaimenyi has flopped after Members of Parliament failed to gather the required numbers. A total of 141 MPs voted on the motion brought to the House by Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga. 89 supported the CSs removal, 50 opposed it while two members abstained.

The Constitution requires that such a motion gets the support of at least one-third of the Members, which is 117 MPs.

Earlier, Odanga told the Star in Parliament that the Executive had “hijacked” the motion but was “confident” his motion will sail through to the committee stage.

"Jubilee MPs have held a meeting to tell their members to withdraw their support on the motion. Clearly the executive has taken over this issue but I will still move it and prosecute my case," Odanga said on Tuesday.

The MP had accused Kaimenyi of high-handedness and failure to consult stakeholders when coming up with education guidelines. The motion signed by 87 legislators from both Jubilee and CORD, said that Kaimenyi exhibited arrogance while appearing before parliamentary committees.

During the debate, Balambala MP Abdikadir Omar said education in northern Kenya had been ignored since the massacre in Garissa University College that left 148 people dead.

"Mr Kaimenyi is a liability to Kenyans and do not deserve taxpayers money. No wonder he has been cursed by Njuri Ncheke."

Nandi Woman Representative Zipporah Kering and Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga said the CS is incompetent and the President should appoint someone else to the office.

"Kaimenyi's leadership is weak and cannot sustain to drive the education sector. Let the house form a committee to investigate the CS," said Wanga.

Majority leader Adan Duale defended Kaimenyi saying the motion to sack the Cabinet Secretary was shallow and lacks moral grounds.

“You say Kaimenyi is arrogant, how do you measure arrogance?"

Reference : www.the-star.co.ke