'My Advice ...!' - Senator Cherargei Blasts Omtatah Over Demos, Calls For Use Of Senate Powers

‘My Advice …!’ – Senator Cherargei Blasts Omtatah Over Demos, Calls For Use Of Senate Powers

On Monday, December 30, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei offered some unusual advice to his Busia counterpart Okiya Omtatah on the recent demonstrations.

Senator Omtatah made headlines on Monday after joining young protesters in Nairobi’s central business district to protest abductions in the country.

Following a scuffle with anti-riot police, Omtatah and several other protestors were arrested. The Senator was subsequently taken to Gigiri Police Station.

In the wake of his arrest, Senator Cherargei, who is a well-known ally of President William Ruto, sympathised with families whose kin went missing during the festive period.

Cherargei, however, was also critical of how Omtatah decided to stand with Kenyans on the ground.

“I hope & pray the young Kenyans who were abducted pedestrian criminals shall be found safe & be able to join their families during this festive season,” Cherargei said.

I hope & pray the young Kenyans who were abducted pedestrian criminals shall be found safe & be able to join their families during this festive season.

To my brother senator omtata the people of Busia county elected you to be the senator of the Republic of kenya 🇰🇪 my advice…
— Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei (@scherargei) December 30, 2024

According to Cherargei, Omtatah would have been better served advocating for a Senate hearing to question national security stakeholders such as Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the National Intelligence Service, among others.

“To my brother Senator Omtatah, the people of Busia County elected you to be the Senator of the Republic of Kenya,” he added.

“My advice, convince the Senate to hold a special sitting to allow all of us to summon IG, NIS, IPOA & DCI to be held accountable for these heinous lapses of security.”

Cherargei went on to describe Monday’s demonstrations as ‘illegal’.

By Monday evening, protests had broken out in numerous major towns across the country, including Nairobi, Eldoret, Embu, and Mombasa, with tens of protestors arrested.

In Nairobi, some protestors were injured during the ongoing clashes with police, and lobby groups said that at least 34 people had been arrested.

Cherargei’s recommendation was similar to that of Embakasi Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who on Sunday issued a public letter to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.

In his letter, the outspoken legislator asked a special session of the National Assembly to address “urgent matters regarding the state of security in the country.”

Babu Owino especially cited Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Ibrahim, and the incoming Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Mr. Onesmus Murkomen.

He stressed that these were government leaders who needed to answer critical issues about the country’s security situation.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) claims that at least ten Kenyans were abducted in December alone.

This contains several well-known social media personalities such as Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti Njeru, and Bernard Kavuli.

‘My Advice …!’ – Senator Cherargei Blasts Omtatah Over Demos, Calls For Use Of Senate Powers