The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations has summoned Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika to appear before it on June 25 after she failed to honour four invitations concerning a petition on the alleged forced disappearance of young fishermen at Lake Nakuru National Park.
The decision was made during a sitting at Bunge Tower on Thursday, with senators expressing concern over Governor Kihika's continued failure to respond to requests to appear before the committee.
Committee Chairperson Senator Fatuma Dullo said the governor's absence undermined Parliament's oversight role and directed her to appear before it to address issues raised in the petition.
The petition relates to allegations of forced disappearances involving young fishermen operating in and around Lake Nakuru National Park. The matter has attracted the attention of legislators, who are seeking answers from relevant agencies and authorities.
During the meeting, the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), through its Director General Daisy Muriuki, presented a report on fish sampling conducted at Lake Nakuru following earlier directions issued by the Committee.
However, the petitioner challenged the report, arguing that the sampling exercise had been conducted unilaterally by KeFS and contrary to the Committee's instructions.
The petitioner claimed that key stakeholders had been excluded from the exercise and urged the Committee not to adopt the report until a comprehensive assessment involving all relevant parties is undertaken.
In response, the Committee resolved to convene a joint meeting involving all stakeholders to further examine the issues raised in the petition.
Those expected to attend include the Cabinet Secretaries for Tourism and Wildlife and Interior and National Administration, officials from the Nakuru County Government, KeFS, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and the petitioner.
The Committee said the meeting is expected to deliberate on the matter and produce a comprehensive report that will guide its consideration of the petition and any subsequent recommendations.
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