Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome on Wednesday failed to appear before the Senate plenary after she was summoned to appear before the house to respond to questions in regards to her ministry.
She is reported to have fallen ill and therefore informed Senate Speaker Amason Kingi that she would not be able to physically present herself at the chambers to respond to questions from the lawmakers.
According to Kingi, he received information that the CS had suffered swollen eyes and thus could not see properly.
He added that Wahome had undergone an optical surgery not more than three days ago, even as questions lingered over why she did not make the communication in advance.
''We expected two CSs this morning for purposes of answering questions as portrayed on the Order Paper. However, I have since received a communication from CS Lands that she will not be able to attend today’s session for purposes of responding to questions concerning her ministry because she is indisposed,” Kingi told the lawmakers.
The speaker also informed the house that he received the information on the unavailability of the CS from the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Lands Nixon Korir.
Among the questions that the CS was to respond to was the controversial loss of over 360 title deeds made public via a Gazette notice and the mix-up in statements from the Ministry in regard to the same.
Kingi, however, noted that he was informed that Wahome was willing to attend the session, throwing off any view that she might have acted inappropriately.
''I had a phone call discussion principal secretary in the ministry who explained what the problem is. The honourable CS underwent eye surgery three days ago but by yesterday, she was willing to appear today but woke up with a swollen eye this morning, she cannot even see,’’ Kingi mentioned.
''She cannot even see and that is why she registered her regrets that she will not be able to be with us today,” the speaker added.
Wahome’s date with the lawmakers was since deferred to a later time as the Senate proceeded with a session with his Cabinet counterpart from the Education Ministry, Julius Ogamba.
''That is a very valid reason honourable members, and I think that we will have to defer all the questions that were supposed to be responded to by the CS. That leaves us with only the CS of Education whom am told is present,” the Speaker directed.
