MP Wants The Police Around Parliament Removed As Finance Bill Debate Continues
Opiyo Wandayi, National Assembly Minority Leader, has called for the removal of the heavy police presence around Parliament buildings.
Wandayi sought Speaker Wetangula’s intervention in the matter while speaking on the National Assembly floor.
Wandayi claims that the heavy police presence in Parliament prevented legislators from entering the chambers to participate in the ongoing debate over the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
The Minority Leader compared the police blockade preventing demonstrators from reaching Parliament to a military installation.
“Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the house is not full and some members are finding it difficult to pass through the police blockades to access the House. I have personally had to struggle to get here,” said Wandayi.
BREAKING: They're now back to the Moi era cordoning off parliament to intimidate opposition MPs from making it to the Chambers. Leader of Minority @OpiyoWandayi has warned that Gen Z are coming for them, and they will not believe. Bwana it's going down. pic.twitter.com/HspafI5uQv
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) June 20, 2024
He continued, “The issue is that the entire Parliament precinct is cordoned off by individuals who appear to be police officers. We live in a democratic country, and this house symbolizes our democracy. No one in this country has the authority to establish a blockade around Parliament. There has been no state of emergency declared under the constitution.”
“Can the speaker direct the Inspector General of Police to withdraw the officers who have turned this house into what resembles a military installation? It is an affront to our democracy for Parliament to be treated this way,” Wandayi added.
However, Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro dismissed Wandayi’s comments, claiming that the police were simply carrying out their independent mandate.
Osoro claims that police must maintain peace and order for both MPs and protesters participating in the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protest, which aims to persuade lawmakers to reject the Finance Bill.
“We must respect our 2010 constitution and the independent offices it establishes. The National Police Service operates independently. They do not take instructions from Parliament or the President. They carry out their duties independently,” said Osoro.
“Police are present to ensure security even for those demonstrating. As we were coming to this house this morning, what you see are police officers waiting for the protesters so they can ensure their security,” Osoro explained.
In response, Speaker Wetangula assured the House that he had directed the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms to look into the situation.
“Rest assured that you are safe at all times. I will direct the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms to liaise with the police to ascertain the situation so that I can respond based on accurate information,” he said, calling the House to order to commence the debate on the Finance Bill.
MP Wants The Police Around Parliament Removed As Finance Bill Debate Continues
