“This is a cartel, Mr Speaker, like the one that exists in the Karen land scandal. This is nothing more than a plot to loot from the public; this has everything to them grabbing the Kenya Railways staff houses”/FILE
Temporary Speaker Tom Kajwang’ who was presiding over Wednesday morning’s sitting was forced to intervene and rule Aburi and Dagoretti’s Simba Arati out of order as other MPs present in the Chamber demanded the duo face sanctions for lowering the dignity of the House.
Aburi who was contributing to the motion by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya claimed those who supported the motion had ulterior motives.
“All those who have supported this motion about reducing traffic jams on Jogoo Road or acquiring the land belong to the Kenya Railways, Mr Speaker, they are land grabbers,” the legislator said.
The Tigania East MP backed his claim by citing that Starehe MP Maina Kamanda in whose constituency Landhies Road falls has not voiced support for the acquisition of the housing estates owned by the Kenya Railway Staff Pension Scheme.
“If you want to know about Tigania East ask Aburi. Similarly, Starehe is Kamanda. Mr Speaker, why are some people purporting to plan for Kamanda, yet Kamanda has not said that the there is a shortage of land for the expansion of the road,” he said.
“This is a cartel, Mr Speaker, like the one that exists in the Karen land scandal. This is nothing more than a plot to loot from the public; this has everything to do with grabbing the Kenya Railways staff houses.”
According to Aburi, there is a grand scheme to grab the Kenya Railways land which stretches from the Muthurwa Hawkers Market, Kaloleni, Makongeni, Posta, Makadara Estates as well parcels which have been reserved for future expansion of the railway line bordering Outering Road.
Standing on a point of order, Arati wondered whether Aburi was justified to question the record of his colleagues when dealing with land matters.
“Is it in order for the MP, to say legislators who were in support of the bill were thieves yet we know he is among the big grabbers of land?” Arati stated.
Budalangi’ MP Ababu Namwamba said it was unacceptable for Arati to have repeated the remarks after the Speaker had ruled it out of order.
“It is unacceptable; it is inexcusable for any honourable member of this House either in a fete of excitement or a state of emotional displeasure to do or say anything that lowers the dignity of this house, Mr Speaker,” Namwamba noted.
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