Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara has accused Kenya’s 13th Parliament of failing Kenyans, arguing that lawmakers have not done enough to scrutinise government decisions and hold the Executive accountable.
Speaking during a local radio interview on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Kihara said Parliament had increasingly aligned itself with President William Ruto’s administration, weakening its ability to independently exercise its constitutional oversight mandate.
“Parliament has failed Kenyans. I must admit,” Kihara said.
The Naivasha MP questioned why parliamentary committees, particularly those responsible for security matters, had not acted with greater urgency to summon security officials and establish what she described as the truth behind various security incidents affecting the country.
Kihara argued that Parliament should take a more active role in investigating such matters instead of leaving Kenyans without clear explanations.
Kihara Questions Parliament’s Role in Haiti Deployment
Kihara cited the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti as an example of what she considers excessive Executive influence over Parliament.
She recalled that the proposal initially faced resistance from some lawmakers, particularly because of concerns over Kenya’s own security needs and whether the country had enough police officers to deploy abroad while maintaining security at home.
According to Kihara, when it became apparent that the proposal lacked sufficient parliamentary support, consideration of the matter was postponed before it later returned after the government engaged members of the parliamentary majority.
“Yaani, you are doing what he wants,” she said.
The MP's remarks point to wider concerns over the balance of power between Parliament and the Executive, particularly where the government relies on its numerical strength in the National Assembly to advance major policy decisions.
Allegations Over State House Parliamentary Meetings
Kihara also alleged that some parliamentary group meetings held at State House are associated with financial inducements.
“If you hear there’s a parliamentary group meeting in State House, you know they’re going for money,” she said.
She added that her assertion was based on her own experience, although the allegation was not independently substantiated in the information provided.
Kihara's criticism comes amid growing political debate over Parliament's independence, with opposition lawmakers and some members of the government side increasingly questioning whether the legislature is sufficiently exercising its constitutional oversight role.
Her remarks are also likely to fuel broader discussions over the relationship between Parliament and the Executive as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
