The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities turned away Kenya Prisons Service Commissioner General Patrick Arunduh after he failed to provide records backing claims of diversity in recent recruitment.
The session, chaired by Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge, stalled after Mr. Arunduh appeared without documents showing how inclusivity was factored into hiring.
Lawmakers expressed frustration that this was his second appearance before the committee without the required evidence.
Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino led the criticism, noting that the submissions lacked material evidence. “The Commissioner General is appearing before the Committee for the second time without supportive documents. We expected a progressive report from what he had presented earlier,” said Owino.
His sentiments were echoed by Oku Kaunya (Teso North), Dick Maungu (Luanda), Agnes Pareyio (Narok North), Denar Hamisi (Nominated) and Liza Chelule (Nakuru County).
“The Committee expected to see supportive documents showing the number of officers recruited recently, broken down by sub-county,” Maungu said.
Kaunya and Hamisi emphasized that complete documentation was crucial for the Committee’s final report to the House.
“Work with staff from the Committee Secretariat to guide you on how to prepare the required documents,” advised Hon. Hamisi.
Chelule pressed further on the need for inclusivity in the Service.
“I hold the interests of People Living with Disabilities at heart. You were supposed to table documents showing their numbers, so we know whether you are complying with the law that requires at least five per cent be persons with disabilities,” she said.
Arunduh acknowledged the lapse and pleaded for three weeks to submit the documents but the chair granted him only two weeks to prepare the records before his next appearance.
