The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing has summoned Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano to appear before it on August 4, after she failed to honour an earlier invitation to answer questions on the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) redevelopment project.
Miano had been expected to appear on Thursday to brief senators on the status of the Ksh42 billion project, including contract variations, approvals and planning reports. Instead, in a letter dated July 17 addressed to the committee through the Clerk of the Senate, she argued that the issues raised had already been comprehensively addressed in the ministry’s response of April 28, and asked that the meeting be rescheduled.
Senators rejected the request, insisting that it is Parliament, not the Cabinet Secretary, that determines whether information submitted is adequate. Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ said the CS’s position was inconsistent with the Constitution, noting that it is not the duty of a witness to decide whether the information presented is adequate.
Committee chairperson and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch said the committee had resolved to compel Miano’s attendance through a formal summons rather than a routine invitation. He said issuing summons would make her understand the weight of the matter before the committee. Oketch added that Miano had appeared inadequately prepared during a June 18 sitting, where members excused her early after she cited other engagements, on the understanding that she would return with fuller answers.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua backed the move, saying the committee had extended courtesy to the ministry that had not been reciprocated. He said the Cabinet Secretary should be summoned to face the committee because she is abusing Parliamentary courtesy.
The BICC redevelopment, which began in March 2025, is intended to modernise the facility’s capacity to host large international conferences and events. President William Ruto had announced in December 2025 that construction would be complete by April 2026, with events resuming a month later. However, an inspection by the National Assembly Committee on Tourism and Wildlife in April found the project would not meet that timeline.
Senators say they will use the August 4 sitting to scrutinise procurement decisions, contract changes and the reasons behind the delays. Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute and Laikipia Senator John Kinyua also attended Thursday’s meeting.
