Be innovative while processing Parliamentary Business, DC Mohamed Ali urges the Senate and Executive Parliamentary Liaison Staff

Tuesday, 22nd March 2025

The Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Mohamed Ali has urged the Senate Staff and Parliamentary Liaison Officers drawn from the Executive to think outside the box while processing Parliamentary Questions and Statements.

DC Ali said this while officially opening a joint retreat of the Senate and the Executive staff responsible for processing Parliamentary Business earlier today in Nakuru County, which is themed: Realigning Efforts to Strengthen Democratic Governance.

The three-day retreat is tailored to provide an opportunity to review the performance of the secretariats of the Senate and all the State Departments in the processing of Questions and Statements.

While addressing the participants of the retreat earlier today, DC Ali said that the Senate and the Executive solely depend on the coherence and collaborative spirit of these officers to ensure efficient and accountable governance.

He counselled them to rethink the processing of Questions and Statements, evaluate the effectiveness of these two oversight tools, and propose necessary reviews to ensure they have the desired outcome.

“Questions and Statements are the tools that the Senators use to raise concerns and seek information and clarity on Government action and policy. Take stock of the management of these oversight tools in this term of Parliament so far and reflect on what we can do to improve the process,” DC Ali said.

Questions and Statements, he explained, are not merely tools of criticism and only beneficial to Senators but offer a platform for constructive dialogue between the Senate and the Executive to inform policy making and better governance.

On her part, the Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Aurelia Rono, hailed the Senate for building linkages with the Executive and pledged her Ministry’s commitment to ensuring Question Time works.

Dr. Rono was represented by Mr. Nick Biketi, the Secretary for Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs.

Question Time is a sitting of the Senate held every Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., where Cabinet Secretaries answer Senators’ questions regarding their dockets.