𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐒, 𝐈𝐆

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations this Thursday adjourned a scheduled meeting with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration following the absence of Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

The meeting had been convened to deliberate on the emerging pattern of targeted and politically motivated attacks against leaders across the country.

Members of the Committee, chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) declined to proceed with the session despite the presence of representatives from the Ministry and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Amin Mohamed Ibrahim, insisting that only the Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector General could adequately respond to the issues raised.

Sen. Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) emphasised that the matter required accountability at the highest level, stating that the Committee had specifically invited the CS and the IG to provide answers on the growing insecurity concerns.

“With all due respect, there is no need to engage officers who are not directly responsible. We expected to have a conversation with the Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector General, given the seriousness of the issues before us,” said Senator Sifuna.

Sen. Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Samburu) supported the position, noting that the Committee has never set a precedent of engaging representatives on such sensitive matters.

“There is no time we have handled a matter of this magnitude through representatives. The best course of action is to wait for the Cabinet Secretary to appear in person,” he stated.

The Committee Vice Chair, Sen. Prof. Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), described the session as critical, citing concerns over rising political tensions and recent attacks on leaders.

“This meeting was very important because it touches on the security of leaders and the country at large. Only the Cabinet Secretary can provide the policy direction and assurances required,” he said.

In her ruling, Senator Dullo reiterated that parliamentary procedures require Cabinet Secretaries to personally appear before committees on matters of such national importance, adding that the absence of both the CS and the Inspector General rendered the meeting untenable.

“This is a serious matter affecting the country and its leadership. We cannot proceed in the absence of those directly accountable,” she ruled.

The Committee consequently resolved to adjourn the meeting and directed that the Cabinet Secretary, the Inspector General and DCI Boss appear before it on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Senators emphasised the urgency of the matter, warning that the rise in politically motivated violence poses a threat to national stability and must be addressed decisively.