NAIROBI, Kenya— It was an awkward walk of shame for Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge on Thursday as he was shown the door—politely, but firmly—by Parliament’s Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities.
The reason? A glaring paperwork fail that even first-year interns would’ve caught.
Thugge showed up at the committee session with a report in hand—but no backup.
No documents, no signatures, and certainly no compliance with the submission rules clearly spelled out in the invitation letter. Chairperson Adan Yussuf Haji didn’t mince words.
“Your report lacks the required supporting documents,” said Haji, visibly unimpressed. “The invitation letter clearly stated that all submissions must be accompanied by documentary evidence. Unfortunately, this requirement has not been met.”
Translation: If you don’t do your homework, don’t expect to get graded.
The committee session was promptly halted, and Thugge was asked to revise and resubmit his presentation—this time, with actual proof.
For someone who oversees Kenya’s financial policy, the lapse didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
But Thugge wasn’t the only one caught offside. Paul Ngugi, CEO of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC), also got benched during the same session for similar reasons: lack of preparation and missing documents.
Two top officials, two empty folders, and one very annoyed parliamentary committee.
Thugge took the criticism on the chin and assured the lawmakers that he’d be back with a report that ticks all the procedural boxes. In fairness, it wasn’t all bad news—at least he showed up.
Still, for a committee tasked with monitoring ethnic diversity and inclusion in public institutions, the bar for documentation is set high—and rightly so.
Kenya’s Constitution makes this oversight work non-negotiable. Article 27 guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination, while Article 232 pushes for fair representation of all ethnic groups, particularly marginalised communities, in the public service. Add the National Cohesion and Integration Act to the mix, and it’s clear the paperwork is more than just a formality—it’s the foundation for accountability.
The Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities holds the mandate to enforce these standards, ensuring public entities not only preach inclusivity but prove it—with receipts.
Thugge and Ngugi are expected to return, reports in hand, signatures in place, and hopefully, no repeat performances. Because in Parliament, showing up empty-handed is a quick way to be shown the exit.
