Senators demand answers after CS Wahome’s seven no-shows over land disputes

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome is facing growing backlash from senators after skipping seven scheduled appearances before the Senate Lands Committee.

The committee, chaired by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, had summoned Wahome to respond to several urgent petitions. These include long-standing land disputes, environmental concerns and the forced eviction of squatters from various parts of the country.

But despite numerous requests, Wahome has failed to honour the invitations.

Frustration among committee members reached new heights this week, with the senators demanding that she appear in person between May 12 and May 15 to address her continued absence and speak to the plight of affected communities.

Wahome’s most recent excuse was that she was on official duty in the United States.

Her office sent a letter dated May 2, 2025, explaining that she was attending the World Bank Land Conference in Washington, DC. The letter was received by the committee on May 5.

“The explanation is plausible and acceptable,” Faki said, noting that Wahome had informed the committee in advance about her unavailability for the latest session.

However, Faki emphasised that the committee’s concerns go beyond this single absence.

“We want her to come and explain why she has been treating us with contempt. Her failure to show up has delayed our work and is exacerbating the suffering of many Kenyans,” he said.

Faki said that although Wahome provided a valid reason for missing the recent meeting, her continued failure to respond to earlier summonses could not be ignored.

“We are not treating her with kid gloves,” he said. “We cannot fine her at this stage since this is the first summons she has not honoured with an explanation, but we expect her to explain why she missed previous invites.”

Unanswered requests

The committee had sent several requests to Wahome’s office, which went unanswered, prompting them to issue a formal summons.

“A summons is more serious than an invite,” Faki said, underlining the gravity of the matter.

Kirinyaga Senator James Murango defended the current committee’s actions, stating that this is the first time they are summoning Wahome since they assumed office.

“We don’t know what was explained to the previous committee,” Murango said. “But for us, this is the first time we are summoning her, and we need clear answers.”

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Murango added that the Cabinet Secretary’s silence has had real consequences for ordinary Kenyans.

“If you give an old man with no teeth a sugar cane, it is no longer a gift but contempt,” he remarked.

The Senate Lands Committee has been actively involved in several field visits and investigations aimed at addressing land-related challenges across the country.

In Kisii, the committee toured Mwabundusi farm, where squatters have been living for years without title deeds. They found that the land is under dispute between the squatters and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, which is said to be occupying the land and displacing the residents.

In Homa Bay, the committee visited Sukari Industries, which has come under scrutiny for allegedly discharging harmful waste into Lake Victoria. The team is assessing the environmental damage and its impact on surrounding communities.

The committee also inspected a Sh24 million water project in Teso, Busia County. The dam has been described as substandard and a waste of public resources.

Another key area under investigation is in Taita Taveta County, where 1,300 people were settled on land acquired by the government from a local ranch. The senators want to understand how the process was handled and whether it served the public interest.

“We have accepted her explanation for missing the last meeting, but she will have to answer for her previous absences,” Faki said.

The senators insist that Wahome’s attendance is crucial to resolving ongoing disputes and restoring public confidence. She is expected to clarify unresolved issues surrounding land ownership, environmental degradation, and forced evictions.