Senate · Morning Sitting
Tuesday, 20 August 2024
The Senate interrogated witness Ibrahim Mutwiri Kirimi about the County Assembly’s unauthorized changes to the Appropriations Bill and the absence of adverse reports from the Controller of Budget, noting only a qualifying Auditor‑General report. Cross‑examination then probed manual payroll problems for FY2020/21‑21/22 and clarified whether the mover of an impeachment motion was a County Assembly member. The exchange underscored concerns over procedural compliance, financial oversight, and Assembly governance. Senators probed the 2022/2023 Auditor‑General report for Meru County, questioning whether the County Assembly’s PAC/PIC committees had invited the witness and highlighting the county’s reported 79% budget execution. Witnesses clarified their roles and the lack of prior committee engagement, while procedural disputes over witness identification and declaration of interests were raised and overruled by the Temporary Speaker. Senators raised concerns over chronic police resource shortages, inadequate housing and border security, while condemning recent police practices such as unmarked vehicles and face coverings that resemble terrorist tactics. They urged the newly nominated police chief, Douglas Kanja, to address these issues, improve accountability, and ensure justice for victims of violence. The debate combined criticism of current policing with calls for constructive reforms.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum bell for another 10 minutes. The parties to the impeachment proceedings, your matter starts at 10.00 a.m. So, you may elect to sit and witness the first Order of business to be transacted or you may want to go to the holding room and take tea and be back here by 10.00 a.m., whichever you elect.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Order, hon. Senators. We do have quorum now. We will proceed with the business of the morning. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations, kindly proceed.
Clerk, do we have the parties in the Chamber? Hon. Senators, yesterday we heard the case of the Meru County Assembly. Today, we are going to hear the case of the Governor of Meru County. I am informed that at the adjournment of the House yesterday, that is last night, there are some Senators who had expressed their wish to seek clarifications from the counsel for the County Assembly. The system …
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I hope the Parliamentary Service Commissioner, Sen. Kinyua, is noticing we also need a welfare like the police. Yesterday, we wanted to seek further clarification from the counsel for the County Assembly. I remember the first witness stepped down and some of us wanted to seek further clarification. Would it be in order to proceed?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, through you, yesterday I wanted seek clarification on the pleadings of the County Assembly made through their counsel led by Mr. Ndegwa Njiru. One of the issues is, it was never indicated whether an invitation to the Governor of Meru County was sent out during the impeachment proceedings at the County Assembly of Meru. I would want to know whether there is proof to that effect b…