Parliament Clash: Senators Oketch and Khalwale Debate Sondu Killings
Senators debated the recent clashes in Sondu town on the Kisumu–Kericho border, which have claimed numerous lives and left many more injured, on Thursday in Parliament.
After Migori Senator Eddy Oketch asserted that the conflict, which has resulted in the fatalities of at least seven people and the displacement of hundreds, was ethnically motivated, conflict broke out.
The lawmaker criticized the government, specifically President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki, for remaining mute despite the public’s repeated calls for action.
He asserted that the violence was “politically motivated” and was predominantly perpetrated against the Luo community on one side of the border by their Kalenjin neighbors on the other side of the border with the assistance of the authorities.
“The second wave of clashes has emanated from Maandamano. In July, there was an attack perpetuated on the Luo community by the other community. Out of the eight people who died, all of them happened to be Luo,” he stated.
“That kind of ethnic wrangle can end up bringing down a nation. The kind of silence that we have seen in the presidency in the issue of Sondu is wanting…when clashes started, the police were supporting members of the other community to facilitate the crimes.”
The remarks did not set well with his counterpart in Kakamega, Boni Khalwale, who condemned Oketch, stating that his sentiments could spark racial strife and pit communities against one another.
Khalwale also criticized his colleague for drawing police officers into the conflict, arguing that they were in no way to be considered as taking sides.
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“Even if you have grounds, let this motion bring us together and bring about peace…when we state categorically that the police are aiding one tribe against another, we are not rising to the level of this House,” Khalwale said.
The outspoken Senator from Kakamega further absolved the President of responsibility, stating that Interior CS Kindiki should be held accountable, and accusing politicians from both sides of the border of inciting the youth.
“Politicians and the youth are the problem in Sondu. Before going to Sondu, politicians had already made an opinion saying the President should have made a statement. The President serves the people through the ministries…we have the minister of Internal security. It is only after the minister has failed that the President weighs on it. Let us ask Kindiki to come and go on top of things,” he noted.
Consequently, he refuted claims that the conflicts were caused by tribal differences, stating that the primary source of violence was border disputes over revenue collection, which may have prompted the leaders of Kisumu and Kericho to incite their communities to seize control.
“In the Kennedy Kiliku findings of 1992, two factors were at play in Sondu. The first one is the so-called boundary conflict. People have started saying that the boundary between Kisumu and Kericho should go this and that way, and politicians are asking them to defend it and as a result, people are dying,” he claimed.
“The second one is that there is a fight on revenue collection. If people are going to be incited to fight over the collection of resources, ask yourself who is going to benefit if revenue is collected. So the Governors of Kericho and Kisumu must stop going to public forums and telling people that this side or that side should collect the revenue.”
Senator Oketch interjected and demanded that Khalwale provide evidence for his assertions that the two county chiefs are at the center of the conflict.
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“If this is true, the Kakamega Senator must produce those statements to this House to deal with this conflict, so that we can use it to hold them to account,” Oketch requested.
In a retort, a seemingly irate Kakamega Senator silenced Oketch as he bluffed at his request saying: “Senator, let me tell you, this arrogance and entitlement that if a Luo is dying then I’m a Luo Senator, I should be seen to be shouting the most, doesn’t make you a better advocate of peace and security in the area. Shut up! You don’t have the floor!”
Khalwale instead denied the objection, clarifying that he did not in any way accuse the two Governors of involvement, and then belligerently dismissed his counterpart’s grasp of language and lack of focus.
“I have not said in any way that Nyong’o or Mutai is responsible…I said ‘if’. If you didn’t go to a good school be listening to us who went to good schools when we speak in English,” he stated.
Since then, Interior CS Kindiki has announced a series of measures taken by the government to resolve the issue, beginning with the immediate transfer of all security chiefs from both sides of the border.
Parliament Clash: Senators Oketch and Khalwale Debate Sondu Killings
