This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Kenyan lawmakers have three key roles: representation, oversight, and lawmaking. When they speak in parliament, they represent the thousands of people who elected them.
However, what happens when an MP fails to speak in parliament? Doesn't this undermine the democratic process, leaving their constituents' voices unheard on matters affecting them directly and indirectly?
Take Oscar Sudi, the Kapseret MP, for example. He has never spoken in parliament since his re-election in 2017. When asked about his silence, Sudi attributed it to the fact that they left such matters to MPs from Luo Nyanza who speak more English.
Millie Odhiambo offered to teach Sudi some English in June 2019, but it seems he didn't take the free lessons. Sudi is not alone in this list of shame; he is joined by Nakuru East MP Samuel Arama, who has also never spoken since 2017.
According to records, 21 lawmakers failed to speak in parliament in 2019. Only two Senators made the list, which was dominated by Nominated Members. Some of the lawmakers who failed to speak include:
- Abdi Tepo (Isiolo South)
- Abdi Shurie (Balambala)
- Ahmed Gaal (Tarbaj)
- Johnson Naicca (Mumias West)
- Amin Deddy (Laikipia East)
- Geofrey Kingagi (Mbeere South)
- James Gakuya (Embakasi North)
- George Aladwa (Makadara)
- John Owino (Awendo)
- Oscar Sudi (Kapseret)
- Stanley Muthama (Lamu West)
- Gideon Konchella (Kilgoris)
- Justus Kizito (Shinyalu)
- Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West)
- Alfred Sambu (Webuye East)
- James Mukwe (Kabuchai)
- Rose Museo (Makueni)
- Beatrice Kones (Bomet East)
- Amina Gedow (Mandera)
