Khama too busy to attend parliament-Kokorwe

Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Kokorwe has said that President Ian Khama is too busy to attend Parliament fully.

Kokorwe said the President could attend Parliament when he wants and when he is not busy. “He is the head of state and he has a lot on his table. It is all about priorities. So I cannot go to his office and tell him we want you at Parliament”, said Kokorwe on Monday this week when addressing a press conference about the just ended Parliament session. She stated that Khama has other responsibilities that are equally important.

“Whether he attends Parliament or not, I am fine with it. Our standing orders do not compel him to attend. If he is not in Parliament, the Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi is there on his behalf.

Anything that needs to be attended to by him is always taken care of by the vice president”, she said. Kokorwe indicated that the just ended Parliament was proactive. She commended Members of Parliament for their active participation. Out of 372 questions asked in Parliament 177 were answered.

She said for Ministers Question Time, 24 were received and four were answered. As for Private Members Motions, 82 were received, two were negated and two were withdrawn.