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{
"id": 979200,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/979200/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
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"speaker": {
"id": 171,
"legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
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"content": "I rise pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.47 Paragraph 1, to make a Statement on an issue of countywide concern, that is the growing cases of insecurity and murders in Vihiga County, the county that I represent here. First and foremost, I would like to pass my heartfelt condolences on my own behalf, on behalf of my family and the people of Vihiga, to the families that lost their loved ones last week. Mr. Charles Ombima lost his son, Nelson Kehenji and the son’s wife, Sheila Makhungu on the night of Monday, 17th February, 2020 in Itenji Village, Central Maragoli Ward in Vihiga County. The two were brutally butchered in their house at night. Two days later, on the night of Thursday, 20th February, 2020, Mr. Kennedy Ambani, his wife Elizabeth Achieng’ and son, Gifton Ambani from Busamu Village, Lugaga Wamuluma Ward were attacked and killed in their home. Their daughter, Anne Ambani, who was critically injured in the incident and was admitted at the Kakamega Referral Intensive Care Unit (ICU) lost the battle and passed on, on the morning of 24th February, 2020. More surprising is that in both incidences, the criminals only stole chicken. Over the weekend, I visited the family of the late Kennedy Ambani at their village in Busamu, Lugaga, Wamuluma Ward to condole with them. The sight and the account of the events as told by the mother of the deceased broke my heart. According to the deceased mother’s account, it was by sheer luck that two of the children in the family survived by hiding under the bed. Four children between the ages of one to 18 years have been left orphaned suddenly. The burden of bringing up these children has now been left on the grandmother and other relatives. I condemn this heinous act of brutality and criminality in the strongest terms possible. It defeats logic when one attacks a family in the dead of the night to execute them in cold blood including defenseless and harmless children. It should be noted that this is the second time that I am rising to complain on the issue of insecurity in Vihiga County in less than one year. The first time was on Wednesday 13th March, 2019, when I made a Statement on the execution of five watchmen in Kilingili Market in Vihiga County that had happened on Saturday, 2nd March, 2019. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government exists to provide common goods and services that are necessary for the functioning of society. One such service is national security. Article 238 of the Constitution explains national security as:- “(1) the protection against internal and external threats to Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, its people, their rights, freedoms, property, peace, stability and prosperity, and other national interests.” Clearly, the national Government is failing in providing security to the residents of Vihiga County. It is as if the people of Vihiga are living in the state of nature, as explained by Thomas Hobbs; where life is nasty, brutal, and short with no government, no common laws and institution to offer restrain and establish public security. This is unacceptable as the National Police Service (NPS) is, in totality, established and fully funded by taxes to maintain law and order, which includes ensuring Kenyans enjoy personal security, peace and protection. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}