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{
    "id": 1066675,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1066675/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 113,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to make my contribution in regards to this issue of the impeachment of the Governor of Wajir. The issue here is whether to go plenary or committee way. Let me put it this way from the outset. Our Standing Orders are quite clear that the Senate should take 10 days to investigate the allegations. Article 96 of the Constitution tasks us, Senators, with one key mandate, which is to protect the interests of the counties and their governments. In this case, it means we are protecting the interests of the citizens and the County Government of Wajir. During the previous two impeachments, we saw different kinds of things unfolding. I sat during the impeachment process of the former Governor of Nairobi City County, hon. Mike Mbuvi Sonko. To tell you the truth, I was perplexed because the lawyers came in with volumes of documents, which we were supposed to read so that we give justice to the people and the former Governor of Nairobi City County. At that point, I was convinced that plenary is the worst form of procedure that someone can expect to be given justice. A large amount of money was used by the county assembly to make copies that were brought. In my view, the preliminary objectives were just wish-wash. We did not give the county government justice, and neither did we give the then Governor of Nairobi City County any form of justice because we were quick to conclude the matter. I do not believe that I will be fulfilling my mandate as a Senator if I just wish away a matter without even looking at the allegations. I know that an impeachment procedure in the Senate is not really a legal procedure, but more of a political procedure. Since we are a House that makes the law, we should implement them. I am of the view that if this Senate of the Republic of Kenya had concluded the drafting of the Impeachment Procedure Bill, we would not have this debate of whether to go plenary or committee way. Therefore, since there are various things that will come up, I am 100 per cent sure that we will have a court injunction. We are still wishy-washy on which way to go and whether to tell the court that they cannot interfere with the constitutional body and proceed with our timelines. A Committee would look at those issues, so that in the event that this matter proceeds to the courts of Kenya, the Senate of the Republic of Kenya, which makes laws, can be seen to abide and implement the laws fully. It would be a little bit ludicrous, in my view, to say that we are the House that makes the laws. However, when we are told that there is a court order stopping the proceedings from going on, we disregard them because we do not want anyone to injunct Parliament. Mr. Speaker, Sir, for us to do good a job, we need to stay firm and---"
}