During a heated Senate session, tensions flared as the Kakamega Senator passionately addressed the issue of county funds allocation and the responsibility that lies with governors.
In his remarks, the senator emphasized that every cent allocated to counties must be “incentfied” — a term he seemingly coined — to account for its proper use.
He argued that governors who utilize public funds responsibly deserve to be recognized or rewarded for their integrity and effective service delivery.
However, the speech quickly turned into a point of contention when Senator Samson Cherargei rose on a point of order, questioning the logic behind rewarding governors for simply doing their job.
“How should a governor be rewarded for using public money the right way?” Cherargei challenged. “Isn’t that what they are supposed to do?”
Cherargei further criticized the Kakamega senator’s language, saying, “I think I heard ‘centfied’, not ‘certified’ or even audited.
Then Khalwalwe responded by saying, I know the languages in this House are English and Kiswahili, not Kalenjin or Kiluhya.
As an old student of Kapsabet Boys High School, I must say your English teacher is really embarrassed right now.”
The floor erupted in murmurs and laughter as the debate shifted momentarily from financial accountability to language use and grammar.
While some senators sided with the Kakamega senator’s intent to promote good governance, others agreed with Cherargei that using taxpayers’ money correctly is not something to be rewarded but expected.
The clash highlighted both the seriousness of county fund management and the importance of clear communication in national debates, leaving Kenyans with much to ponder about leadership, accountability, and the power of words in Parliament.
By Kenyans