Africa-Press – Kenya. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has defended Parliament against ongoing criticism, stating that lawmakers have fulfilled their role in delivering reforms and supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda.
Cheruiyot said leadership requires responding to national challenges, even when institutions face public scrutiny.
“We have done our part. The call of leadership is to rise to the challenges of the day,” Cheruiyot said.
The Kericho Senator acknowledged that Parliament is frequently criticised, describing the institution as one of the most scrutinised in the country.
“There is no other institution that gets as much flak and battle from cynics,” he said during a National Governing Council meeting at State House.
He addressed perceptions that lawmakers simply align with the Executive or pursue unproductive agendas, arguing that such views overlook the legislative work involved in shaping government action.
“Sometimes people say we just sing to the tune of the Executive, that we do things that are not progressive,” he said.
“It is possible for somebody who doesn’t follow through to fail to understand how our work as parliamentarians, together with the work of the Executive, comes together to achieve the common vision we are trying to attain as a team.”
Cheruiyot told the council that Parliament had fulfilled its mandate by processing key policy and legislative proposals that have shaped government programmes.
He highlighted public participation exercises, committee deliberations, and debates in Parliament before Bills were passed and forwarded for assent.
“I stand here to report today that as Parliament, we have done our bit as well,” he said.
“I think through each of the items that the Deputy President has spoken to, and I see all the work that the various members of the committees that are here did—moving around the country in public participation, arguing in our committee halls, finally debating in the chambers of Parliament.”
According to the Majority Leader, the legislative process is central to translating campaign promises into outcomes for citizens.
He said laws passed by Parliament have had a direct impact on the lives of Kenyans.
“I imagine how each of the work that we have done has transformed the lives of the people that voted for us to be members of Parliament,” Cheruiyot said, adding that the results give him confidence in his role.
Despite criticism and harsh public commentary directed at lawmakers, Cheruiyot said Parliament remains an integral part of the Kenya Kwanza team.
“I sleep proudly as Leader of Majority alongside my colleagues, knowing that though many other people may not appreciate and sometimes people say not very nice things about us, we have been part and parcel of this team,” he said.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to continue working with the Executive to advance the administration’s agenda, saying the legislative arm has contributed to the government’s reform record.
“Our work has helped the Kenya Kwanza administration attain the record you are hearing this morning,” Cheruiyot said, indicating that lawmakers intend to continue their role despite political headwinds.
