Senate Sitting Suspended After Meru Senator Mithika Linturi's Arrest

Senate sittings were on Wednesday suspended following the arrest of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi.

Linturi was reportedly arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) while on his way to Parliament.

His arrest triggered uproar from some of his fellow Senators who vowed to boycott the special sessions scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri said: “If Senator Linturi has been arrested in the course of duty, we should all leave this chamber. It’s not fair. It is unacceptable to arrest a lawmaker in the middle of proceedings.”

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr said: “It doesn’t matter what he believes in, this is supposed to be a chamber of debates, this is not a choir where we are supposed to agree or sing the same song. People are supposed to debate.” 

As a result, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka suspended the session for 30 minutes to address the matter.

“Because of the gravity of the matter and what has been requested, I am suspending the House for 30 minutes, during which time I will use to find out what exactly has happened,” ruled Speaker Lusaka.

When the session resumed, Lusaka said no legislator will henceforth be arrested without the speaker’s knowledge.

 “We have agreed with the Inspector General and Interior Cabinet Secretary that no member of any assembly, be it County Assembly, Parliament, and the Senate, will be arrested without the speaker’s knowledge.”

“We must protect our House and the integrity of the House,” he added.

During the special sittings, both Houses are expected to debate a report on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020, popularly known as the BBI Bill.