Senators have criticized the arrest of thrthree colleagues on Monday, with that special sitting set to discuss the Third Basis of Revenue Allocation adjourned to Monday 2:00 pm. At 3:00am on Monday, officers arrived at Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala’s city home with orders to take him to the DCI offices. The situation was similar at the home of Bomet Senator Christopher Langat at Nyayo estate. The other Senator who was placed under close police watch throughout the night to Monday morning is Samburu Senator Steve Lelegwe.
By Monday mid morning, Senator Malala was still under house arrest, and Senators Langat and Steve had already been arrested by officers. “They’ve cut off my electricity and water supply,” said Malala, adding that its a ploy to cut off communication to the outside world. Senators have connected the cases to the Third Basis of Revenue Allocation, and that they are being blocked from appearing in the Senate and voting, with the three Senators vocal opposers of the formula as proposed by the Finance Committee, a sentiment supported by Malala, “When you look at the pattern of arrest, you realize that these are Senators who have been opposing the third generation formula.” The Senators are being investigated on accusations of incitement to violence.
Speaking moments before Senator Langat’s arrest, lawyer Nelson Having, representing the Senator, faulted the motives behind the move to arrest the Senators. “If this is where we are going and a Senator, duly elected by his people cannot be given the permission to go and perform his duty in the Senate, what guarantee do you have that as a Kenyan you’ll be able to exercise your civic duty and vote.”
During the Senate Session hours after the arrests, Makueni Senator Mutual Kilonzo Jr said they can’t continue if their counterparts are not present, with other Senators backing the adjournment. However, West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio has called for clarity on the matter, “Some of us want to do politics.” He said the arrests shouldn’t be wholly linked to the revenue formula and that all information on the issues should be availed.
