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{
    "id": 893716,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/893716/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 108,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the House may be aware, the Governor of Samburu County, Mr. Moses Lenolkulal Kasaine has been under investigation by the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) over suspected Kshs84 million fraud. He was arrested, charged in court and has been granted an astronomical bail of Kshs100 million in cash. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the governor was not alone. 13 other senior county officials including his deputy, the county secretary, the chief officers and former chief officers in charge of environment and a host of other chief officers are either to be charged or under active investigation by the EACC. Mr. Speaker, Sir, should these officials be charged in court, it is expected by law that they will step aside. This case raises a serious concern on the lacuna existing in law on the stepping aside of state officers occupying executive positions based on the fact that the governor has been given an order not to step into his county. The net effect of the afore-going is that there is apprehension over the continuation of delivery of services in the County of Samburu and the risk by wananchi to access services which they deserve. This should concern the Senate and the country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Senate, I urge, the concerned authorities including the EACC, the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Director of public Prosecution (DPP) and the courts to handle this matter judiciously and expeditiously, with a view of ensuring that services in Samburu County do not grind to a halt. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the on goings in Samburu County have a potential of precipitating a monumental constitutional crisis. This will fall squarely under the suspension of counties under Article 192 of the Constitution. Therefore, there appears to be possible grounds for instituting a commission of inquiry to investigate whether the suspension of this county in terms of Article 192 will come to pass or has come. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge the Senate to consider this matter seriously so that under Article 96, we can protect this county. Meanwhile, we can also find a formula, because it is available in law, to ensure that Samburu County and its residents do not suffer by virtue of their own senior officials being charged in court in view of the fact that the people in charge of finance have all been charged and cannot, therefore, access or execute any financial functions. Therefore, it is fair to say that the County of Samburu has ground to a halt by virtue of the on goings."
}