CSs vetting: Lee Kinyanjui refutes claims of street children dumping in forest

Trade Cabinet Secretary nominee Lee Kinyanjui has refuted claims that, during his tenure as Nakuru Governor, he was involved in rounding up and dumping street children in Embobut Forest.

Speaking during his vetting session on Tuesday, Kinyanjui asserted that his conscience would not allow him to participate in such an act, calling the allegations baseless.

"I have my conscience right, and I can never do that," Kinyanjui said.

He emphasised that he could never have been involved in such a controversial action. He criticised the politicians who were backing the allegations, suggesting that they had personal or political motives behind the accusations.

He also questioned the fairness of using such allegations, which he said were reportedly brought forward by political opponents, to tarnish his reputation.

"The unfortunate thing, including at the Senate, is politicians who are there and the people who are sponsoring it today. I think let's also be fair. You can't call a governor to come and answer allegations put forward by their opponents, who have intentions to seek elective positions, and then use that allegation letter against them," he said.

The claims relate to a controversial incident where street children were allegedly rounded up and dumped in Embobut Forest in February 2019. The Senate Labour Committee raised concerns over the matter, particularly after it was revealed that at least five children were reported.

The children were allegedly aged between 10 and 12 years.

The committee, then led by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, demanded that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conclude its probe into the incident, including allegations of bribery involving street children.

It also sought the prosecution of county officers believed to have been involved in the unlawful action. The committee's investigation revealed that at least 41 children were forcibly removed from the streets by county officials and held in detention before being transported to the forest in Baringo County.

But Kinyanjui argued that the issue had been misrepresented and politicised, noting that the intelligence agencies in the country had not named any individuals in connection with the incident, despite the claims.

He dismissed the allegations as “fiction,” calling for a more respectful approach to addressing issues in public office.

"If there are people this country has the best intelligence in the region, we have never even mentioned one name. Let us respect the institutions we work for. For Kenya and posterity, the opportunity to serve in these institutions should not be personalised for political gain," he said.

In 2020, the committee found that despite the reported incident of the unlawful detention and dumping of street children in Chemasusu Forest being logged at the Central Police Station in Nakuru, with follow-ups conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the case had not been resolved.

The committee, which consisted of nine members, concluded that Nakuru County’s actions violated both international conventions on children's protection and Kenya's own Constitution and the Children’s Act, 2001.

In their recommendations, the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare proposed that Nakuru’s bid for city status be suspended until the issue involving the street children was fully addressed. During a debate on the Devolution Committee report, several senators expressed outrage over the county’s actions in rounding up the children.

The then Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr. insisted that criminal charges should be brought against those responsible, stating, "This Senate cannot pussyfoot around that issue. There is blood on the officers at the county government of Nakuru."

National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula who was Bungoma Senator then, described the county's actions as inhumane and criminal, calling for accountability among county officials.

The now Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki who was the then Tharaka Nithi Senator, emphasised the need to address the disappearance of the five children who had reportedly never been found, regardless of whether Nakuru received city status.

“We want to make sure that county governments become accountable because we are talking about orphans and children whose whereabouts are unknown,” he said.

Kindiki also argued that the incident constituted a crime against humanity, given that forced displacement had been carried out by the local government.

Further, the then Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko condemned the actions of Kinyanjui and Nakuru administrators, describing them as unacceptable, but stressed that any punishment should be directed at the individuals involved, not the entire county.

"Let us not throw out the baby with bathwater," Ayacko said.