MP Suspended as Chaos Erupts in Parliament Over Disputed Privatisation Bill
Tension and confusion filled the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon as MPs engaged in heated confrontations over the highly controversial Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, a proposal that would open the door for the privatisation of 67 state corporations.
What started as a normal debate session quickly escalated into a chaotic scene, reflecting the deep political divisions surrounding the bill.
During the debate, several opposition MPs, led by Deputy Minority Whip and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, strongly opposed the proceedings.
They argued that the bill was pushed through without the required quorum, making the process irregular and questionable.
The MPs insisted that the debate should be postponed to the following week to allow for proper participation and transparency.
Mbui went further, accusing the Executive of influencing and controlling Parliament’s decision-making process, saying it undermined the independence of the House.
Despite the loud objections and calls for fairness, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei brushed aside the concerns and permitted Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to continue reading the bill. This decision sparked even more tension.
The situation became chaotic when a visibly frustrated Mbui attempted to grab the ceremonial mace—an action considered a serious breach of parliamentary order—before security officers intervened to stop him.
Deputy Speaker Shollei reprimanded Mbui for what she described as gross misconduct and accused him of deliberately disrupting the House. She invoked Standing Order 107A and suspended him for five days, directing sergeants-at-arms to escort him out of Parliament.
Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe was also handed a five-day suspension for disorderly conduct during the scuffle.
“Order, honourable members! Honourable Mbui, if you want to raise a point of order, you must do it respectfully. You cannot shout, and you cannot attempt to remove the mace from its place,” Shollei declared during the heated moment.
She added that his behaviour went against the rules of the House, leaving her no choice but to order his removal.
Moments after being ejected, Mbui addressed journalists outside Parliament, expressing deep disappointment in how the session was handled.
He accused the Deputy Speaker of bias and poor management, saying the opposition was not even allowed a fair chance to question the process.
He criticised Shollei for allegedly giving Majority Leader Ichung’wah the freedom to repeatedly insult opposition leaders without any reprimand. According to Mbui, this behaviour shows clear favouritism and undermines the dignity of Parliament.
“I am uncomfortable with the manner in which the Deputy Speaker managed the House this afternoon,” Mbui said. “There was absolutely no reason for her to deny us the opportunity to raise a point of order. The majority leader cannot be granted the leeway every day to insult leaders in the House—and even those who are not present.”
The dramatic events highlight the growing tension in Parliament as leaders clash over the future of key state assets, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and the balance of power in legislative decision-making.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
