A goat meant to reward a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) game ranger caused quite a stir in Parliament last week.
The animal belonging to Nominated MP Hon David ole Sankok had been brought from Narok and was meant to reward ranger Philip Wesa for carrying Deborah Nyaboke, a Form Two student living with disability.
Nyaboke, who goes to a special school in Kisumu could not climb the hilly Aberdare National Park to view the Chania Falls.
Wesa found her left behind in the bus. “I looked at her and realised a lot was going on in her mind. She was disturbed, mentally. Looks like she was even blaming her condition,” said the ranger who added that he cannot blame teachers and pupils for leaving Nyaboke behind because it was not easy to carry her around in an unfamiliar territory.
Touched by Nyaboke’s state, Kenyans on Twitter delivered the news to Sankok via the hashtag #IfikieSankok
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Ole Sankok who is also the chairman of National Council of Persons with Disability decided to reward the ranger with a goat ‘to slaughter and regain more energy.’
“I don’t only punish or rebuke those who infringe on our rights, but also reward those who assist us achieve such rights. Nyaboke was really happy looking down from a height she never imagined she could reach without the strength of her legs; and enjoyed the bird’s eye view of the beautiful scenery of the mountains,” said Ole Sankok.
There was drama in Parliament when a goat the MP had tethered at the entrance of Parliament freed itself causing mayhem in the men’s washroom.
An MP who heard the commotion and bleating of the goat, sensing danger, started climbing the wall for safety.
He thought evil spirits were coming for him and had to climb the walls of the toilet to escape through a ventilation window.
“It was terrible seeing Mheshimiwa perched on the wall like a lizard trying to escape from evil spirits,” Sankok said.
After scaring Mheshimiwa, the goat caused more chaos inside the House, prompting Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Cheboi to direct Sankok to apologise over the goat drama.
“I am told you brought live animals inside the National Assembly, thereby causing inconvenience to many members,” said Cheboi.
Even though Ole Sankok eventually apologised, he excused his goat for misbehaving, blaming the chaos on culture shock.
“Thank you Mr. Speaker and let me take this early opportunity to apologise for the inconvenience. I want to apologise to the administration of Parliament together with members of parliament. But Mr Speaker, this was the first goat to enter parliament and it was unfortunate that it escaped, that is why it was running around.”
He added: “Mr Speaker I know the honourable members enjoyed it because all of them were looking through the windows when the goat was running around.”
Later that day, Sankok hosted KWS Ranger Wesa and his boss for lunch at Parliament.
Apart from the goat, Wesa who has already slaughtered the goat also received more gifts and cash from other honourable members.
Ole Sankok has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to recognise the ranger with a Head of State Commendation.
He has promised to table a motion for recognition of Wesa at the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities when he attends the Assembly of State Parties in June at UN headquarters in New York.
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