NAIROBI, Kenya- Three MPs have criticised the state of Kenya’s Parliament and the country’s political environment, with Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow warning that the 13th Parliament could be remembered as one of the least inspiring in the country’s history.
Adow, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua made the remarks during a live interview on Citizen TV, where they reflected on their experiences in politics, Parliament and journalism.
Adow said the current Parliament had failed to live up to expectations, particularly in providing space for lawmakers to debate issues affecting their constituents.
“The 13th Parliament will go down in history as being the most uninspiring,” Adow said, adding that limited debate time and obstacles facing first-term MPs had made it difficult for many lawmakers to contribute on the floor of the House.
He said he entered politics after years of travelling around the world and seeing ideas and innovations that he believed could be replicated in Kenya.
“Every time I saw something good, I would reflect back on what was happening back home; I would say this could be replicated back home,” Adow said.
For Hassan, the growing disconnect between the government and citizens was a major concern.
The Kamukunji MP said he had been listening to his constituents and found widespread dissatisfaction over the cost of living and what residents viewed as the government’s failure to respond to their concerns.
“They feel they are not being listened to, their needs are not being met, they feel the cost of living is going up, and life is becoming difficult,” Hassan said.
Hassan, who was elected on an opposition platform, also raised concerns about what he described as a shrinking democratic space.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to use the platform of Parliament to express certain sentiments and stand up for the ordinary Mwananchi,” he said.
He said his background in journalism had influenced his approach to politics, although he still considered himself an outsider within the political system.
“There are areas where training in journalism serves you very well in politics,” Hassan said. “However, even now, I find myself seeing myself as an outsider.”
Hassan also traced his activism to his childhood experiences as a displaced person from northern Kenya and his later years in exile, including his work with the BBC.
He said the experience of living under the Moi regime, which he described as hostile to media freedom and freedom of expression and association, helped rekindle his rebellious spirit.
Wambua, meanwhile, praised former Siaya governor and veteran politician James Orengo for his forthrightness and singled out Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for integrity in public office.
The Kitui senator said political office should not be viewed as an avenue for personal enrichment.
“Getting into political office is not a license to become rich; getting into public office is an opportunity to protect public interests and take care of public resources,” Wambua said.
He described his best moments in politics as those spent on the Senate floor debating issues affecting ordinary Kenyans and scrutinising the use of public resources.
The MPs’ comments offer a rare reflection from sitting legislators on the challenges they face inside Parliament, while also highlighting growing concerns over political accountability, democratic space and the relationship between government and citizens.
