Environment CS Keriako Tobiko has denied claims that he ignored summons to appear before Parliament’s Environment committee to explain challenges facing the ministry.
In a statement on Friday, Tobiko said he informed the chairman of the committee Kareke Mbiuki in advance that he had other official engagements on Thursday.
He said he sent his PS Charles Sunkuli to represent him and ask for a postponement to a mutually convenient date.
“I have therefore learnt with surprise of the media reports; attributed to the committee and suggesting that I snubbed the appointment. Nothing can be further from the truth,” he said.
On Thursday, the committee declined to allow Sunkuli to stand in for him.
Mbiuki insisted that the CS ought to have appeared in person to explain weighty issues affecting the conservation of forests in the country.
In response, Tobiko said he wrote to and personally spoke to Mbiuki and informed him about his official commitments that he had already confirmed he would attend.
The CS was attending a tree planting event in Ndakaini, Murang’a County, to commemorate World Water Day.
