November 27, 2024

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MPs summon Munya over extension of licences

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Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya extended operating licences of coffee marketers without the approval of Parliament, a parliamentary committee was told yesterday.

A petition filed before the Agriculture Commitee of the National Assembly seeks to have Parliament inquire into the circumstances under which Munya unilaterally and unlawfully amended the Crops (Coffee) General Regulations 2019 and issued a legal notice without following the due process.

Following the petition by Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege, the committee has summonedMunya to explain the reasons why he side-stepped Parliament.

Munya is also expected to explain why he singly amended Coffee Regulations through Legal Notice 104 to extend agent licenses from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Approval The committee wants to know if Munya sidestepped the House and unilaterally exercised delegated legislative authority to issue an instrument with a force of law.

 The Statutory Instruments Act, require all regulation making organs, including the Cabinet Secretary to seek the approval of the House before issuing any rules that have a force of law.

 “We want the CS to appear before us in seven days. We want to know if the gazette notice he issued was approved by the Committee on Delegated Legislation as required by the Statutory Instruments Act,” said committee chairman Silas Tiren.

Tiren spoke during a meeting with coffee farmers who have petitioned Parliament to probe malpractices in the licensing of coffee marketers in the country.