Senate makes changes to its calendar after parliament invasion

Senate has altered its house calendar following the violence that broke out Tuesday leading to destruction in parliament.

In a statement, Speaker Amason Kingi did not, however, provide the new dates on when the senators are set to resume their normal sittings.

The senators have been on recess and were rescheduled to resume the same day for the start of part III of the third session which runs until August 8.

“At an appropriate time, the Senate majority leader will be called upon to give Notice of Motion and Motion for the alteration of the Senate calendar,” said Kingi.

His statement follows a meeting of the house business committee held Wednesday morning aimed at deliberating on the implications on the business of the house.

The committee, he noted, has also ordered the publication of a supplementary order.

Kingi also used the opportunity to commend the security officers noting they conducted themselves with professionalism to protect lives and property despite the “difficult” situation.

This is as he condoled with the families and friends of those who lost their lives and were injured.

“However, and indeed regrettably, the skirmishes resulted in the loss of life, injuries, destruction of property and desecration of institutions of governance,” he said.

The speaker at the same time emphasised the importance of Kenyans adhering to the constitution while protesting.

“While the Senate acknowledges and upholds the right of every citizen to “peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities” as enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution, it is important to observe that this must be done within the confines of the Constitution and the law,” he said.

Protesters infiltrated parliament buildings and vandalized property including critical installations within the central business district.