Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah has voiced frustration over being denied an opportunity to address the Senate regarding the recent demonstrations across the country. He expressed on his social media handle that he has been requesting to speak in the Senate about the protests led by Generation Z against the Ruto administration.
The protests were sparked by the Finance Bill 2024, which was subsequently withdrawn by the president. However, Generation Z continues to demand further reforms within the Kenya Kwanza administration, particularly in combating corruption.
Okiyah Omtatah stated on his social media handle that despite requesting to speak in the Senate since last Tuesday, he has not been granted the opportunity.
"I was today denied an opportunity to speak to the State of the Nation motion currently being debated in the @Senate_KE about demonstrations in Kenya, even after having requested the microphone since last week Wednesday," the senator and activist said.
Did you read this?
I was today denied an opportunity to speak to the State of the Nation motion currently being debated in the @Senate_KE about demonstrations in Kenya, even after having requested the microphone since last week Wednesday. #AngukaNayo
— Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) July 9, 2024
It is still not yet clear why Okiyah Omtatah was denied the chance to speak on the demonstrations in the senate.
His counterpart, ODM nominated Senator Crystal Asige, criticized her colleagues' treatment of Omtatah. She lamented that denying him a chance to speak goes against previous agreements where everyone was supposed to be given an opportunity to address the Senate.
"We had agreed that no Senator will be locked out from contributing, but today Okiya Omtatah was not given an opportunity to speak to the State of the Nation motion currently being debated in the Senate about demonstrations in Kenya, even after having requested the mic since last week Wednesday. All of us ought to have spoken," the nominated senator said.
