Lemaletian criticises treatment of Samburu governor

Nominated senator Hezena Lemaletian criticised how Samburu Governor Lelelit Lati was treated on Wednesday, saying it violated his rights.

Governor Lati was reportedly barred from entering Parliament, prompting Lemaletian to call for fairness for leaders from all counties.

"You have to be fair to people of all counties," Lemaletian said, addressing individuals she said were handling the governor.

The senator argued that Lati is a former Member of Parliament and therefore entitled to access Parliament.

"He (Lati) has a right to come to Parliament; he is a former Member of Parliament," she said.

"Honourable members cannot come and arrest a colleague. He has a right to come to Parliament," Lemaletian said.

She maintained that the governor should not be subjected to such treatment by fellow leaders.

The senator added that Parliament is a public office, noting that youths who led the 2024 protests entered Parliament.

"Is Parliament restricted from other people? Even Gen Zs went into this Parliament," Lemaletian added.

Lemaletian described the actions as a violation of the governor's dignity, stating that those involved had no right to handle him in that manner.

"It is not a private house, it is a public office," she said, criticising fellow senators over the incident.

The Council of Governors earlier raised concerns over the reported incident involving the Samburu governor, urging the Speaker of the Senate to take appropriate action.

The governors said the incident involving Lati undermined the dignity associated with the office of the governor, describing the confrontation as a matter of concern.

The council also said the conduct of the senators did not align with the Senate's lawful procedures in exercising its mandate.

"The Council wishes to remind all state actors that leadership is bound by the tenets of accountability, restraint, and adherence to human rights," the council chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, said.