NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 22 – The absence of Energy Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir for the second consecutive time sparked uproar during the Senate Energy Committee session probing the Embakasi gas explosion that killed seven people.
Senators allied with the Azimio La Umoja Coalition criticized Committee Chairman Wahome Wamatinga for not taking decisive action against the Energy CS for his repeated no-show.
The committee had summoned CS Chirchir to address inquiries regarding the tragic Embakasi Gas explosion on February 1, which resulted in seven fatalities and numerous injuries.
Chirchir did not provide any explanation for his absence but informed the committee chairman that he had been summoned to an urgent meeting at State House.
Scheduled to appear alongside Chirchir were Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo, but only Energy Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban and EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo attended.
“The CS is reportedly at State House. We have clear legal guidance and will issue summonses to those who did not appear,” stated Wamatinga.
The committee chair had issued summonses to Chirchir the previous week, but senators were dismayed when he denied issuing any summons during the session.
“Let’s be clear, instead of beating around the bush. Last week, we thought it was a summon, only to be told it was an invitation,” remarked Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticized Chirchir’s disregard for the committee, emphasizing the need for a formal apology.
“We don’t want to have personal conversations with the CS; these are the issues affecting the people. This is extremely disrespectful,” Sifuna asserted.
Sifuna also highlighted the grievances of Nairobi residents regarding the unfulfilled promises to Embakasi gas explosion victims, questioning why the pledged compensation had not been disbursed.
Narok Senator further accused Chirchir of trivializing the matter, underscoring the dire situation faced by the victims due to governmental neglect.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga condemned Chirchir’s behaviour as unacceptable, emphasizing the gravity of the issue at hand and the CS’s obligation to provide a proper explanation.
“Parliamentary business takes precedence over any other business. I don’t know when that changed. The CS should give a proper explanation for his absence,” stated Oginga.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, attending the meeting as a friend of the committee, called for disciplinary action against Chirchir, stressing the importance of addressing the concerns of millions of Kenyans affected by the incident.
“Chairman, you must assert authority. It doesn’t matter whether you belong to the same political party as the Senator or not. What we are doing here is not petty politics; those victims who survived voted for Kenya Kwanza,” Owino declared.
