Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, on Monday, June 26, put senators on the spot for failing to incorporate Nominated Senator Crystal Asige as part of a committee probing the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol.
Kingi called out the Senators who formed part of the Ad Hoc Committee that probed the DG's impeachment for not issuing Asige with proper documents that she could read.
The nominated senator, who is visually impaired, could not use the printed documents tabled before the Senate and, therefore, could not contribute to the proceedings.
“As they were preparing this report at the committee stage, they ought to have known because Senator Asige has not just walked into this chamber today.
“Committees, you have to be sensitive and alive to the constitutional provisions. We have members and we need to accord them the due opportunity to take part in proceedings and today, Senator Asige has been reduced to a spectator,” stated Kingi.
The speaker was responding to concerns raised by the nominated senator for constantly being excluded in proceedings because of her disability.
Asige noted that she had raised the concern with the senate clerks as well as other senators but no action had been taken.
“You began this session by saying that you trust that all senators had been furnished with the report before the 30-minute adjournment. However, nobody has furnished me with this report and it is hard for me to follow this preceding.
"As you know, persons with disabilities need to be included to participate fully according to the constitution and it is not something that I am requesting, it is the law. I have gone through this with the clerks before and other senators in this house. I deserve to be able to participate in this proceeding,” she lamented.
In this case, Kingi asked her to excuse the Senate for the mistake adding that they did not have enough time to make her a braille copy since the impeachment report was tabled 30 minutes before the hearing began.
Additionally, Kingi stated that he would ensure that the matter was looked into and that she would always receive her copy of documents presented to others in the Senate.
“That is very unfortunate, going forward, Senator Asige this will be fixed. It will never occur,” the Kingi added.
The Senators were debating a motion on the removal of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol from office. Oduol was accused of two charges; the Gross Violation of the Constitution and other Laws in respect of interference with the procurement process through acts of bid-rigging and abuse of Office and Gross Misconduct in respect of misleading the public.
