Without MPs who form part of the Executive, a lot of the work in Parliament now takes place in the committees.
They are the ones that vet nominees from the Executive, consider sessional papers and carry out investigations as well as consider petitions for the removal or reprimand of members of the Executive or heads of the independent commissions.
Still, there is a lot that happens on the floor of both the Senate and the National Assembly, where debate and lobbying determine the directions that matters take, and decisions made by committees can be applauded or overturned.
POPULARITY
While we cannot claim to say that the popularity of a politician can be gauged by how much noise they make, we can point out the MPs you are unlikely to notice if you were to meet in the street.
So, as Parliament comes to a close, we ask, do you know these MPs?
- James Lusweti (Kabuchai, Ford-Kenya): Mzalendo.com, which tracks business in Parliament, lists Mr Lusweti as having spoken 42 times since the National Assembly started sitting in April 2013.
Kabuchai MP James Lusweti (Centre). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
On average an active MP, would speak more 500 times on the floor of the House in five years. Mr Lusweti has also not been active in the committees.
- Alex Kosgey (Emgwen, Jubilee): Mr Kosgey is remembered more for being the son of former Tinderet MP and long-serving minister Henry Kosgey than as an MP.
With an afro hairstyle and shoes with thick soles, Mr Kosgey looks like a visitor in the House whenever he shows up.
Emgwen MP Alex Kosgey. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
So rare was he that in 2015, two constituents petitioned for his removal on grounds that he had skipped more than eight sittings without notifying the Speaker. He survived that attempt.
He was active as vice chairman of the Environment Committee when it was handling the petition by manufacturers on the plastic bags ban.
- Kamoti Mwamkale (Rabai, ODM):
Rabai MP Kamoti Mwamkalee. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Mr Mwamkale is a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee and has been quietly going about his work representing the people of Rabai.
- Raymond Moi (Rongai, Jubilee): Mr Moi is quiet but an active member of the Lands Committee. So unrecognisable was he that sometimes the younger security orderlies would stop and ask him to identify himself at places such as County Hall.
Rongai MP Raymond Moi. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Like Mr Kosgey, he also survived a removal attempt for skipping sittings and has become a bit more active since.
- Joash Olum (Langata, ODM): The bespectacled legislator is listed on Mzalendo.com as having made three speeches on the floor of the House; his maiden speech, a contribution on a Motion by his colleague Chachu Ganya and then on the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill.
- Mburu Kahangara (Lari, Jubilee): You might remember an MP who was dragged to court on allegations that he had punched a traffic policeman.
Lari MP Mburu Kahangara. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
That was Mr Kahangara, yet another quiet MP. Mzalendo.com cites him as having made 46 contributions on the floor. He was in the Committee on Administration and National Security.
- Mathenge Ndiritu (Gilgil, Jubilee): Mr Ndirtu was in the Committee on Environment.
Gilgil MP Mathenge Ndiritu (centre). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Surprisingly, he is indicated as having spoken 114 times in Parliament.
- Suleiman Murunga (Kimilili, Ford-Kenya):
Kimilili MP Suleiman Murunga (standing). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
The businessman had tried twice before he secured the seat in Parliament, but is among those who did not make an impact either through his speeches in the House or work in committees.
- Kirwa Bitok (Mosop, Jubilee): With a background in finance, he was a natural fit for the Finance, Trade and Planning Committee.
He is cited as having spoken 52 times in the House over 48 months.
- Mohammed Abdi Haji Mohammed (Banissa, Jubilee):
Banissa MP Mohammed Abdi Haji Mohammed (left). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
He is a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee but many Kenyans may not recognise him in the streets and public functions.
11.Susan Chebet (Elgeyo-Marakwet Woman Rep, Jubilee): The former administrative officer at Moi University is among the unrecognisable woman reps.
Elgeyo-Marakwet Woman Rep Susan Chebet. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Mzalendo.com reports that she made 105 contributions on the floor over the four years.
12.John Ogutu Omondi (Embakasi East, ODM):
Embakasi East MP John Ogutu. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Mr Omondi would never miss a meeting of the Public Investments Committee, but his contributions were few there and in the House.
13.George Theuri (Embakasi West, Jubilee):
The youthful legislator was mostly seen and not heard. Mzalendo.com reports that he spoke 34 times in the House in 48 months.
14.Shukran Hussein Gure (Garissa Woman Rep, Wiper): Ms Gure memorably complained to the Speaker about being harassed by Kenya Defence Forces members patrolling in her home county.
Garissa Woman Rep Shukran Hussein Gure. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
She was also amongst women MPs who protested the inclusion of clauses on polygamy in the Marriage Act. With 78 appearances on the Hansard, she is considered one of the less active ones.
15.Benard Shinali (Ikolomani, UDF):
Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali (right). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
It was never going to be easy replacing Dr Boni Khalwale as MP but Mr Shinali, with 57 appearances, was less active than anticipated.
16.Dr James Murgor (Keiyo North, Jubilee):
Keiyo North James Murgor (left). PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The doctor was active in the Committee on Health and helped craft new rules for the next House in the Procedure and House Rules Committee but was not quite active on the floor.
17.Mary Sally Keraa (Kisii Woman Rep, ODM):
Kisii Woman Rep Mary Keraa. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
Ms Keraa might have campaigned in a whole county to get her seat but she certainly failed to make an impact in the House, where she spoke 16 times.
18.Bernard Kitungi (Mwingi West, Wiper): A member of the Public Investments Committee, he made 37 appearances on the Hansard over the four years. You might recall him from the viral video in which activist Boniface Mwangi made a driver on the wrong side of the road reverse back to the right one.
19.Mary Njoki Mbugua (Nakuru Woman Rep, Jubilee): Ms Mbugua is famous for singing a Kikuyu classic, Mutumia Ngatha, and rode into the House on the Jubilee wave. So rare were her speeches that once when she spoke, the Speaker congratulated her.
20.David Karithi (Tigania West, Jubilee) Mr Karithi has 40 appearances to his name.
21.Daniel Wanyama Sitati (Webuye West, Jubilee): Mr Wanyama was an active member of the Labour and Social Welfare Committee and represented the Kenyan Parliament ably in sports, playing in the football and volleyball teams. He is indicated by Mzalendo.com as having spoken 23 times over his four years in the National Assembly.
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