Lobby to award best performing MPs

The National Assembly in session. An organisation has started a process that will culminate in the awarding of MPs voted as the best performers in Parliament. FILE PHOTO |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The organisation has identified three nominees in 10 categories based on the dominant topics discussed in Parliament: education, water, health and budgetary oversight.
• Ms Jessica Musila, the organisation’s chief executive, told the Nation that their aim is to “gently nudge” MPs to push for the interests of the public in Parliament; increase public awareness on their roles and sensitise citizens on the need to hold their leaders to account.
• She said the organisation considered all the trackers on Parliament’s website and in the Hansard but excluding chairmen of committees, because there is a bias for them to speak a lot.

By JOHN NGIRACHU
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An organisation has started a process that will culminate in the awarding of MPs voted as the best performers in Parliament.

The People’s Shujaaz Awards seeks to recognise legislators from the Senate and the National Assembly who have made a positive contribution to issues that affect Kenyans.

It is being organised by Mzalendo, an organisation that monitors MPs’ contributions on the floor of the House and keeps a record of their performance.

The organisation has identified three nominees in 10 categories based on the dominant topics discussed in Parliament: education, water, health and budgetary oversight.

Ms Jessica Musila, the organisation’s chief executive, told the Nation that their aim is to “gently nudge” MPs to push for the interests of the public in Parliament; increase public awareness on their roles and sensitise citizens on the need to hold their leaders to account.

She said the organisation considered all the trackers on Parliament’s website and in the Hansard but excluding chairmen of committees, because there is a bias for them to speak a lot.

That way, they identified MPs who offered ideas on an issue “that moves the country forward and has an impact”.

“If you ask Kenyans about Parliament, they will give you a lot of the negative things they see and hear coming from Parliament,” Ms Musila said.

Voting, which closes on December 7, will be online at mzalendo.com, and the awards will be on December 11.