Revenue formula debate adjourned following protests over arrest of three Senators

Revenue formula debate adjourned following protests over arrest of three Senators

The ninth sitting of the Senate on the revenue allocation formula on Monday once again hit a snag as the session was adjourned following 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 Ltumbesi Lelegwe and Kakamega’s Cleophas Malala.

Senators, led by Kipchumba Mukomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni) and Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), seconded the adjournment saying the arrests were unnecessary and unlawful.

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

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

Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio and Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata as well as Minority Leader James Orengo also supported the adjournment.

The House was adjourned until 2:30pm and the security committee directed to investigate and report on the whereabouts of the three Senators.

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

Langat eventually surrendered and was arrested at his Nyayo Estate home and taken to the Embakasi Police Station in the company of his lawyer Nelson Havi.

Senator Lelegwe was arrested on his way to the Senate sitting and taken back to Samburu for questioning while Malala – at the time of publishing – still remained locked inside his house in Kitengela awaiting the arrival of his lawyer.

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