MPs want Kenya out of Malindi space centre deal with Italy

Satellite dishes at Luigi Broglio Space Centre popularly known as San Marco at Ngomeni village in Magarini sub-county, Kilifi County. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

This was after Duale revealed the Italian officials had made advancements on the Deputy President Riagthi Gachagua and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi for them to continue operating in opaqueness during their recent visit to Rome.

"Recently the Deputy President was headed to Italy where I knew the Italian officials would request to meet and sweep this matter under the rag. Luckily, I briefed the DP before he left and he did not meet them. Linturi was also briefed by our ambassador and did not meet with them," said Duale.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari sought to know why Kenya had not effected the exit clause given that it is now five months since the Ministry of Defense last wrote to their Italian counterparts to honour their part of the agreement.

"It feels like we are in an abusive relationship with Italy because they seem to be getting all the benefits while we suffer. If we are not getting any commercial or educational benefits from the facility then we need a way to disentangle ourselves from the agreement," said Wangari.

Terminating deal

Kajiado Central MP Kanchory Memusi demanded to know what the country had gained from the facility over the last 60 years and why Kenya appears slow in terminating the deal that has proved non-beneficial to Kenyans.

"This is our territory yet people are telling us what today. We should kick them out and then negotiate from a position of advantage," said Memusi.

Saboti MP Clement Sloya said that Parliament would help fast-track the termination process and implored Duale to get into other agreements that were beneficial to the country.

Duale, in his response, noted that Kenya was already talking to countries such as India and the USA with a view of collaborating on space matters.

"We have our own space agency that can fill the vacuum should the Italians exit...all we want is that they honour their part of the agreement by operating truthfully and submitting dues owed to Kenya," said the CS.