Seven MPs kicked out of Parliament for disrupting Uhuru’s address to nation

Seven legislators drawn from the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) were kicked out of Parliament after they disrupted President Uhuru Kenyatta’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament Thursday afternoon.

In what seemed to be a well choreographed occurrence, the President had barely started to address the nation when his speech was interrupted by the whistling Parliamentarians.

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.

The Speaker then invited the President to address the nation when his speech was interrupted again by the whistling Legislators forcing Speaker Muturi to order Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi out of  the House.

Wandayi refused to leave Parliament out of his own accord, leading the National assembly Speaker to forcefully eject him.

“I order that be Honorable Wandayi be forcefully ejected by the Sergeant at Arms from the chamber,” stated Muturi. ” Wandayi is therefore suspended from the service of the House and must forfeit the right of access to Parliament,  it is accordingly so ordered.”

Another bout of whistling started after Muturi tried to invite the President again to address the nation, prompting him to throw out more MPs.

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

Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro threw out Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang, supporting Muturi’s efforts to restore the House to order.

“Every person has a right to their own opinion, if you do not want to be here for the State of the Nation address, you can leave,” stated Muturi.

Order was later restored in the house and the President proceeded to address the nation.