Senate Adjourns To Protest The Arrest Of Three Senators

By Getrude Matayo

Senate on Monday 17^th August adjourned the debate and vote on the disputed revenue sharing formula in protest of the arrest of three senators.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei sought an adjournment following reports of the arrest of Bomet legislator Christopher Langat, his Samburu counterpart Tumbesi Lelegwe and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala.

Senators demanded that they go on recess until their three colleagues were present in the chamber. Speaker Ken Lusaka said when a senator is harassed, they must stick together.

“The chair of the security committee should convene and get all parties to give information on whereabouts of the senators and report back on the progress,” he said.

Senators, led by Kipchumba Murkomen, Aron Cheruiyot, Mutula Kilonzo, and Johnson Sakaja seconded the adjournment saying the arrest was unnecessary and unlawful.

They expressed concern over the safety of the three saying it was impossible from the debate to continue without assurance of their security and well-being.

The legislators further warned President Uhuru Kenyatta led the government to be careful not to return the country to an era of editorship before the new constitution was passed.

The Leader of Majority Samuel Poghisio supported the adjournment motion but however urged senators to be sincere over the matter.

Speaker Kenneth Lusaka said they will resume the session at 2:30 pm. Lusaka directed the chairperson of the Senate committee on The National Security to consult relevant agencies and report to the House on the reported arrest.

Siaya Senator James Orengo, who also supported the motion to adjourn, said they needed to return to the House in and tackle the contentious revenue sharing formula.

Police officers had camped outside the homes of Senator Langat and Malala for the better part of Sunday night and Monday morning.

Senator Lelegwe was arrested on his way to the Senate sitting and taken back to Samburu for questioning.