Nominated Senator Hosea Ochwang’i, who rarely attends senate meetings, became the subject of a heated discussion in parliament after he produced a controversial letter on Thursday during a special sitting.
Mr Ochwang’i came with a letter that allowed him to vote on behalf of Kisii Senator Chris Obure on the disputed Election laws that were being debated at the senate.
The nominated senator, who is affiliated to the Jubilee Party, waited until the bell to vote was rang then walked in majestically carrying the letter ready to vote.
According to the law, Mr Ochwang’i could not vote on the election law since it touched on matters affecting the devolved units.
Mr Ochwang’i brought the proceedings to a halt with CORD senators stating that he should not be allowed to vote.
“We can’t allow people going to get letters… The guy hardly attends Senate…You go fish him to come and vote. We don’t mind voting and losing but we mind integrity in the House,” Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar stated.
However, according to the letter dated January 5, 2017, Mr Obure authorised Mr Ochwang’i to specifically vote during the special sitting on the election laws.
On the other hand, Jubilee senators argued that Mr Ochwang’i should be allowed to vote since the letter was authentic.
The support from Jubilee legislators was attributed to the fact that the Kisii Senator recently ditched ODM and joined Jubilee, hence, it was a guarantee that he would vote in favour of the ruling coalition.
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko even displayed Mr Ochwang’i's identity card and voter's card to confirm he was from Kisii County.
The Speaker ruled that Senator Ochwang’i was justified to vote on behalf of Kisii County because he had permission from the elected lawmaker to vote on his behalf.
The Nominated Senator represents the interests of youths in the Senate and hails from Kisii County.
Meanwhile, Jubilee Senators used their numerical strength to pass the controversial Election Law (Amendment) Bill paving way for President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent it into law.
