Lawmakers have demanded an explanation on the protocol hitches that saw DP William Ruto blocked from leaving the country for Uganda on Monday.
Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang sought word on the role played by the protocol officers, saying their inaction exposed the Deputy President to ridicule.
“It is so serious that a whole DP can be exposed to ridicule in a manner as we saw yesterday just because of failure on the protocol officers,” the MP said.
The MP on Tuesday said the Deputy President’s office is constitutional, hence any protocol breaches that affect its operations are weighty issues that must be discussed.
He also demanded information on whether MPs accompanying the DP – Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) – had the permission of the speaker of the National Assembly.
“The other day three MPs went to a foreign country for a private visit. Once you become a public officer there is nothing private about your visit. I would want to know if the members notified the speaker of the National Assembly,” he said.
Kajwang’, however, acknowledged his failure to raise the issue in a formal request to the speaker of the National Assembly for it to be debated.
Presiding speaker Moses Cheboi said such information as to why the speaker has granted a member permission to travel or not cannot be disclosed to anyone.
He said that on members having to seek permission, the only reason would be for purpose of attendance of sittings.
“This is an issue that should be discussed formally,” Cheboi said.
Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ongera said the Ruaraka MP “asked a very valid point.”
“This is a matter of national importance. That a DP can be barred, we must know the reason. We are waiting for him (Kajwang’) to raise that substantive motion so that we can deliberate on this issue,” Ongera said.
Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo, however, accused the MPs raising concerns of ridiculing the DP following his latest circumstances.
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