Senators decry heavy police deployment at parliament

The senate met this morning to discuss the contentious election, Bill. Upon their arrival, they found a contingent group of police officers outside the senate.

Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale stood on a point of order and complained about the presence of police officers who stood guard outside parliament buildings. To him, he did not see the reason as to why the police were there.

The legislators from both political divides said that the senate is a senior house and they conduct themselves maturely. According to them deploying the police, there is an insult to the sovereignty of the house. They claimed that even if there are contentious issues to be discussed they carry themselves with the dignity they deserve.

Dr. Bonny Khalwale on a lighter note said that dogs barked to him as he came to the house. He said they were acting on the instruction of their master. He was reacting to the sentiment of his counterpart who said probably the dogs were barking at him because he was carrying weapons.

The senators complained that they were denied access to the parking yet they were the ones to discuss the controversial Bill. The senate speaker Ekwee Ethuro said he did not request for the deployment of police officers outside the parliament.

The senators hinted that the act sends a negative signal to the public. Addressing the house the senators said that they are friends despite their political differences. They called for the adjournment of the parliament until the police were ordered out.

 Following their pressure, the police were cleared from the scene. Ethuro dismissed claims that he called upon the police boss to deploy the police at the parliament building. He said that the senators are going to act maturely as the expectation of Kenya.

 The speaker said the presence of police around parliament will be investigated and the findings brought to the house. A move that was welcomed by the senators.

 The senate's discussions will have a big bearing on Kenya’s politics.All eyes are on the senate regarding the election laws. It should be remembered that the opposition had called for mass action if the controversial Bill is signed into law.

Among the things to be discussed this afternoon is the purchasing of electronic BVRs, tendering of the equipment and the suspension of academic qualifications. As it stands now the Electoral Commission has set academic qualifications for those hoping to vie for any political position in the coming general election.