Babu Owino takes Nakhumicha fight to Wetangula’s doorstep » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 3 — Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has threatened to table a censure motion for the removal of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on grounds of incompetence and gross violation of the Constitution.
Owino intends to edge out the Health Cabinet Secretary for failing to avert the doctor’s strike entering the third week on Thursday affecting millions of Kenyans.
In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, the Embakasi East MP seeks to table the removal of CS Nakhumicha once the House recess ends on Tuesday.
“The CS has further failed to appreciate the seriousness of the strike and has failed to provide a lasting solution to settle the demands of the medics including the hiring of interns/trainee doctors and payment of salary arrears,” read the notice of motion filed on Wednesday.
Owino cited CS Nakhumicha’s failure to appreciate the seriousness of the strike by failing to honor the doctors’ Collective Bargaining Agreement and instead resorted to threatening doctors.
“The above grounds are based on the following particulars: As a result of the doctors’ strike, a majority of Kenyans right to life as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health has been grossly violated,” he said.
“Since the strike began on 15th March 2024, scores of Kenyans have been unable to access medical care, and in some dire cases, some have even lost their lives,” Owino added.
Article 152
The Constitution provides for the removal of a Cabinet Secretary under Article 152.
The mover of the motion is required to file evidence alongside a list of legislators in support of the bid.
Speaker of the National Assembly considers the threshold of evidence presented before clearing the matter for tabling.
Speaker Moses Wetangula’s clearance would pave the way for a 7-day notice with the mover moving the motion within fourteen days.
The House will then set up a Select Committee upon ascertaining support by a third of its membership.
The Select Committee will be required to probe the allegations and submit its findings to the House within ten days.
Where the Select Committee finds ground for removal, the Cabinet Secretary will appear in the National Assembly for a trial.
The matter will then be settled by a majority vote with the Speaker transmitting the House resolution to the President for action.
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