Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has responded to a request by former Deputy President ally and Nyandarua Senator John Methu for a special Senate sitting to discuss recent cases of abductions in the country.
Kingi rejected the request, citing non-compliance with Standing Order 33(1), which requires the request to come from the Majority or Minority Leader and have the support of at least 15 Senators.
“I note that the request is anchored on Standing Order 33(1) of the Senate Standing Orders,” Kingi stated.
In a letter dated December 27, 2024, Nyandarua Senator John Methu requested Speaker Kingi to convene a special sitting of the Senate.
“Notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 33 (1), I wish to request your approval for a Special Sitting of the Senate to deliberate on a matter of critical national importance, namely: The End of Forced Abductions and Disappearances of Young Government Critics,” read the statement in part.
“This matter has raised deep national concern as it infringes on the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, including the freedom of expression, association, and the right to life and security.”
Kingi Rejects Senator John Methu Request for Special Sitting
Methu cited that alarmingly, admissions by the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations that they are not responsible for these abductions have raised growing concerns.
He alleged that there are fears about the existence of an organized criminal syndicate operating outside the command of the Inspector General.
“This syndicate appears to target and silence critics of the current administration,” he asserted.
In the letter directed to Kingi, the lawmaker stated that the Upper House must take the necessary steps to demand immediate action by the Government to stop these illegal and unconstitutional practices
“Given the urgency and gravity of this matter, I request you to convene this Special Sitting to debate and adopt actionable recommendations to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all Kenyans,” he said.
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Also Read: Gachagua Calls for Formation of Commission of Inquiry into 5 Key Issues
Lawmakers Call for the Establishment of Independent Commission
This comes after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies have called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate five key issues that are currently threatening the safety and democratic rights of Kenyans.
They want the commission to look into the alarming trend of abductions, politicization of the police, resurgence of criminal gangs, land grabbing, and state capture in Kenya.
Gachagua stated that they must get to the bottom of these gross human rights violations, identify and prosecute everyone involved in the abductions and extra-judicial killings, and ensure this will never happen again.
Gachagua alleged that abductions and extra-judicial killings that have been happening are clearly state-sanctioned adding that a call to investigate them will provide an open and transparent forum.
Gachagua’s allies had also urged both the National Assembly and the Senate, as well as all county assemblies across the nation, to convene special sessions during the recess to discuss and conduct inquiries into these abductions and other pressing matters affecting our society.
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