Senators have summoned Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to explain what they describe as the state’s “loud silence” as Kenyans continue to suffer, face mistreatment, or lose their lives in foreign countries.
The lawmakers, speaking during an intense session in the Senate, said the government has not shown urgency in protecting its citizens when incidents of torture, arrests or killings are reported abroad.
They questioned why Kenya appears slow to respond even as other nations move quickly when their people are harmed.
“Why are we becoming so laid-back that we do not respond to the plight of our people when they are persecuted or detained, yet other governments follow up on their citizens?” West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor asked.
Senators listed recent incidents involving Kenyans who have been tortured, killed or detained in Uganda, Tanzania and parts of the Middle East, saying these cases show a pattern of government inaction.
Their concern follows reports of Kenyans who were killed and arrested in Tanzania after the recent general election. Others were held in Uganda for over a month before their release, while many in the Gulf continue to face difficult working conditions.
“We are good neighbours. We treat others humanely while Kenyans are treated with hostility. It is time the government ensures these states are held responsible and treat our people positively. Otherwise, we are made to feel like we do not matter in East Africa,” Murgor said.
Following the debate, Speaker Amason Kingi approved the request to summon Mudavadi, who will appear before the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo.
The committee is expected to seek clear answers on what steps the government is taking to safeguard Kenyans caught in dangerous situations outside the country.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina asked why Kenyans appear to be targeted in countries where citizens enjoy open opportunities in Kenya.
“If you walk through some streets in Nairobi today, you will find small traders from Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Our salons are run by Congolese and even the person who cuts my hair is not Kenyan,” she said.
“Kenya has been friendly to foreigners, so it is worrying that neighbouring countries are hostile towards our people. It is uncalled for.”
Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogola agreed, saying Kenya hosts people from different countries who freely run even the smallest businesses without restriction. She wondered why neighbouring states do not offer similar treatment.
“In Kenya, you will find all nationals doing various businesses, some of them small businesses we would ordinarily expect Kenyans themselves to do. But we respect their rights and give them freedom of movement,” she said.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga told the House that leaders must embrace unity in a world that is becoming more connected. He pushed for a plan to support people displaced across borders, including access to schooling and jobs.
“It is our moral and political obligation to make statements that promote unity and integration, not tribal or communal divisions,” Wamatinga said.
“As members of the East African Community, we must ask ourselves how much our utterances fuel civil strife that ends up destabilising societies.”
Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma noted that families are grieving after Kenyans died during post-election unrest in Tanzania. She said Kenya has always stood for justice and the protection of rights and urged the Senate to stand firmly with citizens facing danger abroad.
“As MPs, we have a duty to stand up for every Kenyan, whether they are in Tanzania, Uganda or elsewhere. It is deeply saddening to hear of Kenyans losing their lives or property simply because of their nationality,” she said.
Mumma asked the committee to investigate and report to Parliament the number of Kenyans who have died, been injured or lost property in the recent attacks.
