Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has rejected a request by Senator John Methu to hold a special sitting to discuss the surge in abductions in the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kingi referred to teh standing orders of the Senate that provides circumstances under which a special sitting can be called.
He continued by stating that its only the Majority and Minority leaders of the house that can request for a special sitting. The request would then need the support of at least 15 Senators before it is granted.
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“I note that the request is anchored on Standing Order 33(1) of the Senate Standing Orders which provides that- ‘Whenever during a Session the Senate stands adjourned, whether or not a day has been appointed for the next meeting, the Speaker may, on the request of the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader, and in each case with the support of at least fifteen Senators, appoint a day for a special sitting of the Senate.
From the foregoing. it is clear that your request does not meet the requirements set out in standing order 33(1) for the following reasons- A request for a special sitting should originate from the Senate Majority Leader or the Senate Minority Leader; and a request for a special sitting is to be supported by at least fifteen senators,” he said
In his letter to the Speaker, Methu noted that the matter is of national importance and the abductions are against the freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution.
“This matter has raised deep national concern as it infringes on the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, including the freedom of expression, association, and the right to life and security,” said the Nyandarua Senator
