MPs warn of penalties after KWS boss skips hearings three times

A parliamentary committee has moved to tighten pressure on the leadership of the Kenya Wildlife Service after repeated failure to appear before lawmakers, turning a scheduled accountability session into a heated exchange over compliance with House summons and growing human–wildlife conflict concerns.

The issue came up during a Wednesday sitting of the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, led by Mandera West MP Adan Yussuf Haji, where members were expecting the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service to respond to questions linked to a human–wildlife conflict incident in Kisima Location, Samburu County.

The session, held at Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings, instead focused on his absence after he failed to show up for three consecutive invitations.

Lawmakers said the repeated absences had stalled efforts to interrogate rising cases of wildlife attacks and destruction of property affecting communities near conservation areas.

The committee noted that despite prior communication, no formal explanation had been submitted by the Director General.

Tension rose when the Chair informed members that the Director General had only reached out informally. “The DG called me and explained why he would not attend, but I asked him to do so formally in writing, which he has not done,” he said.

Members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction, with Luanda MP Dick Maungu taking a hard stance, arguing that continued disregard for invitations should attract enforcement action. “The Committee should recommend his arrest and have him brought before us, as he has ignored our invitations for the third time,” he said.

He further pushed for financial sanctions, saying the Standing Orders allowed disciplinary steps against witnesses who fail to comply. “The Committee should impose a fine of Sh 500,000 on the DG for failing to attend sittings as required by law,” he said.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron also backed stronger measures, saying the committee should not allow continued defiance from public office holders. “The Committee should go ahead and summon the DG, as he has ignored our invitations,” he said.

The Chair later directed that a formal summons be issued, warning that failure to comply would attract penalties. He added a caution on personal responsibility for any sanctions imposed, stating, “I want to remind the DG that any fine must be paid from his own pocket, not from public funds,” he said.