Parliament launches probe into ‘whistling’ MPs drama

Parliament has launched a probe into the chaos witnessed in the Chamber Thursday as President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered his State of the Nation address.

Sources say Parliamentary authorities are interested to find out how a section of the Members of Parliament (MPs) managed to sneak in whistles and placards despite tight security and scrutiny even after intelligence revealed the plot before the sitting.

The probe is also seeking to find out the organizers of the chaos.

President Kenyatta was interrupted severally while delivering his address by opposition MPs blowing whistles.

At least eight Opposition lawmakers were ejected from Parliament after they repeatedly disrupted Kenyatta’s speech.

On Thursday, the nation watched in disbelief as lawmakers, in what seemed to be a well choreographed occurrence, interrupted the President’s speech repeatedly.

The President was forced to stop and let the Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, take over and control the August House.

“While delivering an address to the House, the President shall be heard in silence and the address shall not be followed by any comment or question. The standing orders of both houses are anchored on article 124 of our constitution. Any breach of the standing orders would be a breach on the anchor,” stated Speaker Muturi.

Muturi’s attempts to restore order fell on deaf ears, forcing him to through out  seven MPs from the House, while Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro was forced to remove Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang from the chamber.

The MPs kicked out included Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Tom Joseph Kajwang (Ruaraka), Gladys Wanga (Homabay), John Mbadi (Suba), Fred Outa (Nyando), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) and Millie Odhiambo (Mbita).

Later, Wandayi defended his actions saying he could not sit and listen to President Kenyatta’s supposed Public Relations gimmick adding that Kenyans were tired of empty rhetoric.

“The country is annoyed. I cannot allow myself to listen to such a speech. Kenyans are tired of PR, they want action,” he said.

He noted that the Standing Orders cannot supersede the Constitution which he said gives members a right to peacefully picket, demonstrate and express their opinion under Article 37.