By John Mutiso
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was ejected from the Senate on Tuesday, November 18, after claiming that former President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened to have activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo released from detention in Uganda.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Senator Khalwale criticized the government, drawing comparisons between Kenyans stranded abroad and the situation of activists Njagi and Oyoo.
The UDA senator questioned how the retired president could intervene while President William Ruto did not.
“It concerns me on this issue of these young children who are out of the country; they are no different from the two Kenyan political activists who were locked up in Uganda for a long time.
“It disturbs me that it took the intervention of the former president and not the current president,” Khalwale claimed.
His remarks were objected to by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who challenged Khalwale to substantiate his claims.
“We must be stickler of the rules. When the Senator who happens to be the chief whip of the government goes on record and says that the former President intervened in the release of Kenyans, can he provide that evidence before this House?” Senator Cherargei posed.
Senate Speaker Amson Kingi then directed Senator Khalwale to either substantiate his allegations or issue an apology.
The Kakamega senator ignored the Speaker’s directive, insisting that the matter did not require substantiation.
“This habit of giving the impression that this floor offers an opportunity for intimidation of a member during debate actually negates the freedom of speech in the House and the freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya.
“Let me make my point. If the Senator of Nandi is uncomfortable with the factuality of what I’m saying, let him express his discomfort and hide in a point of order,” said Khalwale.
Kingi again pressed Khalwale to substantiate the allegations or withdraw and apologize, but the Kakamega senator said he had decided to remain quiet.
“Mr Speaker, I started this journey in politics at the age of 22. We fought for this Constitution for so long, so much so that rather than respond to all things that have been said here, I choose to keep quiet,” he stated.
The Senate Speaker said Khalwale was out of order and directed him to walk out of the chamber.
“You are choosing to stay silent, Honorable Khalwale. Therefore, it means that you have failed to substantiate. And the natural consequence will flow. I will, therefore, rule you out of order and ask you to leave the Chamber for the remainder of today’s sitting,” Kingi directed.
