Lawmakers walk out in protest at five-day induction workshop
By Tobby Otum
The much-awaited 13th parliament legislators’ induction workshop for committee members aborted when the legislators walked out in protest.
The committee members caused drama on the first day of the National Assembly workshop in Mombasa county when they demanded answers to their grievances.
They unanimously walked out in protest until their grievances on the controversial Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) are addressed and resolved.
Addressing journalists outside the PrideInn Paradise convention center Teso South MP Mary Emaase said the government has not been disbursing bursary funds despite the opening of schools for the first term this year.
She said up to now the government has been unable to disburse the funds to their respective constituencies.
“Up to now the government has only disbursed sh 5 million which is inadequate to cater for bursary ahead of the opening of schools,” she pointed out.
The lawmaker argued they are not able to meet the requirements in line with the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
Emaase told journalists junior secondary schools lack classrooms adding there is an urgent need to construct more classrooms and renovate the existing ones.
She pointed out that the CBC requires that everything must be in place before the end of this month when classes resume in full gear.
“We have resolved to postpone the induction workshop for committee members until the government comes up with a comprehensive report,” they vowed.
The legislator said they demanded the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula to tell them when the funds will be disbursed.
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia echoed the sentiments saying it won’t be proper for them to be at the induction workshop at the coastal city while the students are not going to their respective schools to resume learning.
She lashed out at the government for getting its priorities wrong saying funds used to cater for the induction workshop should have been used to improve the education sector.
“We were assured upon return from recess that things would have been fixed and would be normal,” she said.
The lawmakers urged the government to conduct the induction workshop virtually to cut down on expenses and the money to be used for meaningful purposes.
Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek told journalists they resolved to walk out of the induction workshop until they know how students will go back to their respective schools.
He added disbursement of bursaries has been facing challenges due to famine and the country’s ailing economy.
“Let the government give priority to bursary despite challenges it has been facing from the previous regime,” he pointed out.
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