Senators from the opposition left the chamber in protest of Kuria’s presence in the plenary prior to the discussion of a motion to condemn him for using the media as a weapon during his outburst.
The Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, decided not to allow attempts to have the alleged motion debated because it had not yet been procedurally submitted, which led to the walkout.
“As far as I’m concerned, [Senator] Sifuna hasn’t presented any motions that I’m aware of. This particular motion cannot be the topic of today’s floor discussion because I have not seen it. Even if it was submitted to the Speaker’s office, it might or might not be allowed,” the Speaker claimed.
Sen. Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi claimed to have sponsored a motion of censure against Kuria for wrongdoing. The Nairobi Senator warned that media freedom would be hampered if Kuria’s activities weren’t challenged and condemned.
I rise to ask for advice on whether a person who is the target of a motion of censure that has already been submitted to this house can make another appearance before the motion on censure is dispensed, he said.
He continued, “That person’s appearance before we have resolved the matter will prejudice that motion.”
Misconduct
Sifuna had suggested that the Trade CS might have the opportunity to clarify and disprove the allegations made against him.
“We in the minority side are opposing his presence in this house and we seek your direction on whether his presence prior to the dispensation of the motion would be prejudicial to the same motion,” he added.
“the besieged CS should not have been given the opportunity to address the Senate until the motion is resolved,” according to Kitui Senator Enock Wambua. The question the embattled CS was expected to answer touched on the grounds stated in the censure motion.
“It is difficult to permit a leader to clean himself off on the floor of this house after being accused of insult and abuse. We shouldn’t permit Moses Kuria to clean himself on the floor as a matter of principle,” Wambua said.
Aaron Cheruyoit, the majority leader, questioned why opposition senators had chosen to participate in the sessions where CSs appear to answer questions but had also filed a court suit to have the hearings banned.
“What justifies someone who has not expressed an interest in any of these proceedings, Kuria is the tenth person to testify before the house, and they have never expressed interest. However, now, they want to prohibit the rest of us from holding the Executive accountable,” added Cheuyoit.
Senator Cheruyoit also emphasized that CS Kuria’s presentation cannot be canceled because Sifuna’s motion for censure had not been approved according to the proper procedure.
“Let’s give CS Kuria a chance to respond to the question, and then, after the censure motion has been approved, we will have a chance to respond to the media issue,” added Cheruyoit.
