Farah, Nyikal do justice to the term ‘honourable’
Daadab MP Farah Maalim and his Seme counterpart James Nyikal are among the most senior by age in the National Assembly.
Though they are from different political persuasions, the duo share an important asset: They are brilliant consistent debaters in the Legislature.
Noticeably, Farah and Dr Nyikal often sit in Parliament throughout the entire time it is in session, regardless of the matter being deliberated.
They are among the few lawmakers who meet the four requirements of an MP: Representation, oversight, legislation and budgeting.
Whether in the morning or afternoon sessions, Farah and Nyikal spend their time in the chambers either making contributions to motions or listening to views of colleagues.
That is a positive streak they have set and the younger MPs should take a cue from them.
Farah first joined Parliament in 1992 as the MP for Lagdera on the banner of the then progressive Forum for the Restoration of Democracy - Kenya (Ford-K) following the first multi-party elections that brought into Parliament a number of young and vibrant politicians such as Raila Odinga, Oki Ombaka, Mukhisa Kituyi, Rashid Mzee, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Martha Karua.
Since then, Farah has distinguished himself as a fearless, consistent and independent-minded politician who is allergic to sycophancy and is not swayed by freebies, threats, State largesse, crowd-phycology or temporary political wind.
He is a firm and principled debater who never shies away from intellectual discourse of any cadre both in the august House and on media talkshows.
A forthright and honest individual, Farah represents a constituency that hosts the largest refugee camp. A non-conformist, the straight-shooting Farah has previously served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and as Deputy Party Leader of the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Democratic Movement.
Dr Nyikal made his parliamentary debut in 2013. He was already a public figure in his own right by the time he joined politics.
A medical doctor by profession, Nyikal served as the Director of Medical Services and later as a Permanent Secretary for Health.
An honest and scandal-free public servant, whether in or out of Parliament, Nyikal has always carried himself with utmost decorum, diligence and respect. He is a measured leader who carefully weighs his words before uttering them and respects other people.
One cannot begrudge him were he to seek a higher elective seat. He merits any of them. He already would have were he from a region where leaders are allowed to grow into national stewardship of political affairs.
Both Farah and Nyikal are examples of what a MP should be. As elders, they provide the best examples for others in the Legislature—whether young or old—to emulate.
Youthful Molo MP Kimani Kuria and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have demonstrated their keenness on parliamentary affairs. One hopes they will sustain the seriousness and be consistent for as long as they remain lawmakers.
I also hope that many more legislators will borrow a leaf from Farah and Nyikal so that not long from now, House sessions are not disrupted by lack of quorum hitches, as they are at the moment, and that quality debate will one day return to the hallowed House of lawmaking.
— The writer is the Revise Editor, People Daily —[email protected]
