Lawyer Willis Otieno has sharply criticised President William Ruto’s assertion that the current Parliament is the most transformative in Kenya’s history.
The President made the remarks while addressing officials earlier this week, praising lawmakers for supporting his administration’s legislative agenda.
Otieno issued his response on X, arguing that Parliament has not strengthened Kenya’s governance framework as claimed.
He said the institution has instead weakened constitutional checks and failed to protect public interest.
His comments add to ongoing debate about the role of the National Assembly and Senate in Kenya’s current political climate.
The President has repeatedly credited Parliament for advancing key bills tied to economic policy, financial reforms, and the administration’s development agenda.
In Kenya’s political structure, Parliament is expected to scrutinise government actions, review legislation, and represent citizen concerns through public participation.
The institution also carries the constitutional mandate of checking the Executive.
Otieno contends that these expectations have not been met.
In his statement, he accused Parliament of endorsing government proposals without adequate scrutiny, describing legislators as “voting machines for State House memos.”
He further claimed that public participation has been sidelined, even in cases involving tax-related legislation with direct impact on households and businesses.
The lawyer also pointed to concerns over oversight on public debt, allegations of corruption, and accountability on security agencies.
According to him, Parliament has failed to interrogate these issues despite their significance to citizens and national stability.
The remarks reflect criticism that has been raised by sections of civil society and opposition leaders about the pace and depth of legislative oversight.
By Kenyans