Outrage as Samburu residents accuse Senators of manhandling Governor Lelelit

The residents of Samburu accused the Senators of taking the law into their own hands, saying their actions did not amount to oversight.

The scuffle outside Parliament on Wednesday exposed a downturn in the relationship between Senators and Governors, with oversight and accountability being threatened.

Thousands of Samburu residents filled the streets of Maralal town for the better part of Thursday.

The protests erupted following a dramatic incident at the Senate involving Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, his Migori County counterpart Eddy Oketch, Kiambu County Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa among other lawmakers.

Samburu residents took to the streets expressing anger over how their Governor was manhandled as he left the precincts of Parliament.

“Nataka kuambia Sifuna, Lati is elected leader like other leaders, Sakaja alikuja county hapo kwa Parliament hakuna kitu alifanyiwa,” said a resident.

“Kwa nini gavana wetu kama ni mwizi na wa makaunti zingine sio wezi? Waseme ni pesa gani zimeibiwa,” added a protester.

Anger in Samburu paralysed business in the busy town, with protesters blocking roads and affecting traffic in the northern town. The residents told off the Nairobi Senator, who they claim was out to embarrass the Samburu Governor.

“Huyo Sifuna anakuja kuniattack kutoka nyuma nikiongea na press, wacha hao wakuje wakiwa watatu,” said Lati Lelelit later after the scuffle.

Governors have insisted that they will not heed Senate summons to appear before oversight committees unless their list of grievances is addressed.

They have reported to Amason Kingi what they termed as an extortion racket in the County Public Accounts Committee, claiming the push for Governors to appear is driven by demands for bribes, a claim that Senators have dismissed.