Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi have been directed to appear before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare today, with the lawmakers warning they risk fines or jail terms for persistent defiance of summons.
Oparanya was first summoned in August 2024 to address a petition on unpaid terminal benefits for former employees of the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) and unremitted deductions to Maziwa Sacco.
However, he has failed to honour seven invitations, including the most recent one on August 4. In his last communication, dated August 1, he asked for the session to be rescheduled to August 7, but the request was rejected.
Similarly, Mbadi has ignored eight summons since August 2024, when he was invited to respond to concerns over delayed pension payments for members of the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme. His latest attempt to defer his appearance, made on August 4, was also declined.
In letters sent by the Senate clerk, the two Cabinet Secretaries were ordered to appear in person at Parliament Buildings at 10 a.m. today or provide the required documentation. Failure to comply, the committee warned, could attract fines of up to Ksh. 500,000 or lead to arrest warrants being issued against them.
“You may also be guilty of an offence in terms of section 27 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, which carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding Ksh. 200,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both,” the Senate clerk stated.
Written By Rodney Mbua
