Senate Speaker Amason Kingi/FILE

Under the Constitution of Kenya (2010), particularly Articles 94, 95 and 96, members of Parliament are mandated to legislate, represent and provide oversight. These are weighty responsibilities, and for discharging them, Kenyan MPs rank among the best paid globally.

In fact, unlike other public servants who must justify pay rises, MPs have often arm-twisted other institutions and adjusted their own earnings at will.

It is therefore sad, indeed unacceptable, that the Senate is increasingly unable to raise quorum to transact the very business for which it is so lavishly remunerated.

On Wednesday morning, for instance, plenary proceedings started 30 minutes late as the House struggled to meet quorum. But this is merely the tip of the iceberg.

Since February, Senate sittings have been adjourned nine times for the same reason. At a Senate retreat that month, Speaker Amason Kingi revealed that at least 48 committee meetings had stalled due to quorum hitches.

By absconding their duties, lawmakers fall short of the oath they took—to uphold the constitution, serve the republic and faithfully discharge their mandate.

Kenyans must, in turn, keep a vigilant eye on their representatives. Chronic non-performance should attract consequences at the ballot in 2027 or, as one bishop aptly put it, “fagia wote”.

Quote of the day: “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” —Indian philosopher, poet, writer and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861