Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni has recounted how he was detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, March 1 after arriving from an official trip.
While rising on a point of order before the floor of the house on Wednesday, March 2, the Senior Counsel revealed that he was informed that there was a red list by the government preventing senators from traveling outside the country.
Omogeni disclosed that his passport was confiscated adding that he was informed that he had contravened government directive as per the red list.
"Last week I left the country with the permission of the speaker and the clerk to attend parliamentary business out of the country. At the airport, an immigration official told me that there was a red list of senators who are travelling out of the country.
"After a lengthy explanation, I was allowed to leave but on my way back, my passport was confiscated by an immigration officer. It was explained that I left the country yet there was a red list alert on senators," he recounted.
The senator stated that the incident was embarrassing adding that many of the onlookers at the airport thought that he had committed a crime.
Omogeni urged the Senate to investigate the matter and take action regarding the alleged red list that had been crafted by the government.
"This was happening in the view of many travellers. Many people sent me a text message wondering if I had committed an offence.
"I am somebody who has been out of the country for 10 days yet I am held at the airport for no justifiable reason. That amounts to false detention. I hope this matter can be referred to the relevant committee so that the official can be summoned to explain why I was treated like that," he stated.
On his part, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo also divulged that he faced similar challenges when he arrived back in the country on Monday, February 28.
"I was in the delegation together with Senator Omogeni where we were going to Europe. When we were leaving, there were issues because we were told that there is a letter over senators travelling.
"When I arrived in the country on Monday, I was also blocked at the airport. It is troubling when you come back and you are told to step aside so that theysort your issue. I served as a Judge and I have never been apprehended. I had trouble finding reasons why I would be detained at the airport," the Senator added.
