Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo led other members of the House in questioning their Baringo counterpart Gideon Moi's role with the owners of the ill-fated Solai dam.
Senator Moi had scuttled debate on the report of the ad hoc committee which Mutula chairs on the Solai tragedy arguing that the matter was sub-judice.
Before Kilonzo Jr rose to table the report, Senator Moi interrupted him and raised a point of order, arguing the debate should not proceed as the matter was before a court of law.
The Baringo Senator's sentiments sparked uproar from senators who unanimously called on the deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki to let the debate “proceed in public interest”.
[caption caption="Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo"]
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Kindiki, however, deferred the debate to enable him to prepare a ruling on the matter before Members proceed.
Senators accused Gideon of scuttling the debate for undisclosed interests.
“The senator has failed to declare his interest on this matter. Is he a business partner with Patel or any of the witnesses?” Kilonzo Jr asked.
However, the remarks by the Makueni Senator did not sit well with Senator Moi who protested the accusations, arguing that Mutula's remarks amounted to imputing improper motive.
Kilonzo insisted Gideon’s objection had no basis stating: “This matter is not sub-judice. What Gideon does not know is the principle of sub-judice is weighed against the public interest.”
[caption caption="Baringo Senator Gideon Moi"]
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Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei who added his voice to the issue claimed that by attempting to stop the debate, Senator Moi was “erecting roadblocks on his path.”
Judith Pareno stated that the principle of sub-judice did not apply as there were no active court proceedings when the Senate began probing the circumstances surrounding the killer dam.
“Members have been threatened so that they don’t table this report. Only five of nine signed the report. This issue is just another roadblock,” she remarked.
