CS Alice Wahome under fire for snubbing Senate Committee seven times

Lands CS Alice Wahome is facing mounting criticism after failing to appear before the Senate Lands Committee for a record seven times.

The Senate Committee, led by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, had summoned Wahome to address seven petitions relating to land disputes, pollution and the eviction of squatters across the country.

Despite these repeated requests, Wahome has not appeared, prompting the Senators to demand that she appear in person next week to explain her absences and the ongoing suffering of affected Kenyans.

Wahome’s latest excuse for missing the committee meeting was that she was on official duty in the United States.

In her absence, Faki and other committee members expressed frustration over her disregard for the summons.

“We want her to come and explain why she has been treating us with contempt. Her failure to show up has delayed our work and is exacerbating the suffering of many Kenyans,” he said.

Wahome’s failure to attend the meeting comes after an earlier letter explaining her absence.

Faki clarified that the Cabinet Secretary had sent a letter on May 2, 2025, informing the committee that she would be attending the World Bank Land Conference in Washington DC.

Wahome’s letter, which was received by the committee on May 5, explained that she could not attend the meeting as she was already committed to the conference.

“The explanation is plausible and acceptable,” Faki said, acknowledging that Wahome had communicated her unavailability in a timely manner.

However, the committee remains concerned about her failure to honour previous summons.

“We are not treating her with kid gloves,” Faki said.

“We cannot fine her at this stage since this is the first summons she has not honoured with an explanation, but we expect her to explain why she missed previous invites.”

Faki said multiple requests had been made to Wahome’s office, but they had gone unanswered.

As a result, the committee escalated matters by issuing a formal summons.

“A summons is more serious than an invite,” Faki said.

Kirinyaga Senator James Murango said the committee is still new, and this is the first time they are inviting Wahome.

“We don’t know what was explained to the previous committee,” Murango said. “But for us, this is the first time we are summoning her, and we need clear answers.”

Murango said the lack of response is impacting the livelihoods of many Kenyans.

“If you give an old man with no teeth a sugar cane, it is no longer a gift but contempt,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate Lands Committee has been actively investigating various land disputes across the country.

The committee recently toured the Mwabundusi farm in Kisii, where squatters have been living for years without title deeds.

Kalro is said to be in conflict with the squatters, occupying the land and displacing them.

In Homa Bay county, the committee visited Sukari Industries, which is allegedly polluting Lake Victoria by discharging harmful effluents. The committee is looking into the environmental impact on local communities.

Additionally, the committee visited Teso water pan in Busia county, where concerns were raised over a Sh24 million dam project that was considered substandard and a poor use of resources.

There are also ongoing investigations into a government-backed settlement initiative in Taita Taveta county, where 1,300 people were settled on land purchased from a ranch.

The Senate Committee has made it clear that Wahome must appear and provide answers.

The senators are hoping her appearance will shed light on the issues affecting Kenyans, especially those related to land disputes, environmental concerns and squatters' rights.

“We have accepted her explanation for missing the last meeting, but she will have to answer for her previous absences,” Faki said.

Wahome is now expected to appear before the committee between May 12 and May 15 to clarify these issues and restore faith in her commitment to resolving the country's land challenges.