Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera have been elected as Senate Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively.
Senator Sigei said that the committee members have a great responsibility of ensuring adherence to the constitution, justice and ensuring that the Human Rights of Kenyans are not violated by anyone at any given time.
The youthful Senator urged the members drawn from Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio La Umoja Coalition to work as a team since Legal issues, Justice and Human Rights matters are across the board and are not limited to just one part of the country.
"I am greatly honoured over the responsibility bestowed on by members some of whom are senior to me in terms of age and their service to the country as Members of Parliament, I promise to be a team player and include the input of all members in discharging my duties," said Sigei.
Senator Chimera said that they were ready to work with various government agencies and non-state actors in order to ensure that they discharge their roles for the next five years effectively telling the committee members that Kenyans were looking at them with a lot of expectations.
The Committee Vice Chairperson said that the committee leadership was glad that President William Ruto has pledged to ensure the constitution is adhered to and the rule of law is upheld saying that will make the committee work easier as they will work with the administration.
Baringo Senator William Cheptumo said this is a very critical committee where building consensus is important if they are to achieve their goal to support the government's efforts to ensure that the Judiciary as got enough funds to dispense justice to Kenyans.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo said the committee is very critical to do with matters of law asking members to always stand firm and not accept being arm twisted by anyone so as not to discharge their roles effectively since it was their role to set up a good foundation.
Nominated Senator Veronica Nduati said the country was experiencing a growing democratic space and that they will work with the new government to ensure that Kenyans become a leading example in the region in matters of Law, Justice and Human Rights
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma said they will support the committee leaders as long as they stay the course and ensure they are nonpartisan in their approach to issues and that if they do not play their role as expected the members will raise automatically raise their voices.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah who is known for pursuing cases championing the interests of disadvantaged Kenyans said that he will continue with his role even as he serves in the committee and that he felt he was at the right place to play his societal role effectively.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargey and Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana pledged to support the committee leadership and work with other members to ensure that they achieve their mandate.
enyarangi@standardmedia.co.ke
