- Samburu residents protested in Maralal against what they called the abuse of governors and senators against Governor Lati Lelelit outside the Senate
- The protesters demanded respect for Lati while expressing their dismay at what they said was a lack of morals and respect in the Senate.
- A section of Kenyans, however, criticized the Samburu residents for protesting instead of pushing for accountability
The political tension surrounding the governor of Samburu, Lati Lelelit, has provoked strong feelings and a strong reaction among some of the Maa community.
Source: Facebook
Hundreds of Samburu residents gathered in Maralal town to protest three senators who were allegedly involved in violence with Governor Lati outside the Senate on Wednesday, April 1.
It is alleged that the senators grabbed and dragged Lati trying to forcefully take him inside the Senate to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) to answer questions about accountability.
Why did the residents of Samburu protest?
The residents, some of them wearing t-shirts that read “We Are Lati,” wanted their governor to be respected while others wanted Speaker Amason Kingi to intervene.
Through various placards, the angry protestors showed that they are fed up with the statements of the Senate, claiming that it has ceased to be a body of nobles.
“Yesterday we were saddened by the way our governor was harassed. Although we respect the Senate for its management role, we are very sorry to see senators, including Edwin Sifuna, come to arrest and embarrass our governor,” said one resident, insisting that only Lati was abused.
“Lelelit deserves respect. Was he a thief? We want the authorities to follow the law and tell us what he stole. Why was he humiliated as if he was not Kenyan?” others questioned as the protesters displayed placards that read “We are not Sifuna.”
Before protest that, Lati had asked the three senators to meet him outside the Parliament buildings for a confrontation.
At the same time, the Council of Governors, led by the governor of Wajir Ahmed Abdullahi, condemned the incident and urged the Senate to take immediate steps to resolve the dispute between them and the senators, including allegations of threats, fraud and abuse.
They insisted that until the allegations are addressed, they will not appear before the CPAC committee.
How did Kenyans react to the Samburu protests?
Thomas Kenyoru “You can take the monkey out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the monkey. Are you the ones being robbed by the governor or is the governor stealing from the Senate and bringing it to you?”
Cliff Oyugi “When they finish they should go home, but their governor must respect the summons to appear before the committee.”
Bildad Kombo “Idiots are really many. You are robbed and then you protest. It’s like a farm at the top.”
Kevin Njebeni “These are like the dogs that are used during hunting. After they catch the swara, the hunters take the swara, they cook the stew and then the dogs are only given the bones. But the dogs still protect the hunters because of the bones… Intelligence in the head.”
Gymase Jnr “Everyone should protect what they have… protect your poverty and your ignorance… but don’t shout at us saying you are hungry.”
Source: Facebook
How did Edwin Sifuna respond to allegations of harassment against Lati Lelelit?
In related news, speaking during the Senate session on Thursday, April 2, the Nairobi senator blamed Abdullahi for contributing to the current situation.
He insisted that he is carrying out his constitutional duty and explained that Lati must appear before the CPAC committee of the Senate and answer all the questions.
Furthermore, Sifuna told Lati that the fight that Kenyans want to see is his response before the committee, not a physical confrontation.
He warned Lati against threatening him, noting that he too could engage in physical confrontation if necessary.
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