A meeting between Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i MPs and the National Assembly Committee on Security members was on Wednesday, March 24, called off due to lack of quorum.
CS Matiang’i appeared before the committee accompanied by other security officials but had to leave after waiting for more than 30 minutes for some members of the committee to arrive.
“Unless quorum is achieved within thirty minutes of the appointed time, a meeting of a committee of the house shall stand adjourned to such further time or day as the chairperson of the committee may appoint,” the National Assembly Standing Orders dictate.
The adjournment was unusual because past meetings were called off after the CS failed to show up, but this time around he showed up, only for the committee members to skip the sitting.
The 18-member committee deals with issues of national security, police service, home affairs, public administration, public service, prisons, immigration and the management of natural disasters, community service orders.
The committee which is chaired by Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange had summoned the CS due to concerns of rising cases of insecurity and criminal activities.
“The committee is greatly concerned about the escalating insecurity and criminal activities in parts of the country as a result of hate speech, incitement and terrorism,” said Koinange in a recent media address.
“The most recent political incitement and violence which occurred in parts of Nyeri, Nairobi, Kiambu and Murang'a counties raise a lot of concerns. Notably, these political meetings are going on at a time such large gatherings have been stopped to limit the spread of Covid-19,” he added.
CS Matiang’i was also expected to address the security operation in Kapedo which has proved successful.
The CS lifted a 6pm- 6am curfew imposed in Kapedo and surrounding areas to quell recurrent incursions and rising tension along the Baringo-Turkana border.
“To date, fifty-three (53) firearms have been recovered through the efforts of our security teams; the chiefs, peace committees, inter-faith groups and the elders through high-level engagements with the illegal firearm holders. Cattle rustling, banditry and general lawlessness have been brought under control. Learning, and other socio-economic activities have also now resumed,” the CS said in a recent press statement.
