MPs suspended as House passes privatisation Bill

Two United Opposition MPs will miss House sittings for five days after the Speaker ordered their removal over what was described as disorderly conduct during debate on the proposed law anchoring the government’s privatisation plans.

National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui and Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe were each suspended by Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei during Thursday afternoon’s session.

The MPs, both from the Wiper Party, had protested what they said was an attempt to rush the Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, 2025.

The session became tense when Mbui, Mawathe and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia rose on points of order seeking confirmation of whether the House had a quorum to proceed to a vote. The Bill was at the Third Reading stage.

Mbui was briefly involved in an incident near the Mace as he attempted to halt the proceedings before parliamentary orderlies intervened, drawing a reprimand from the Deputy Speaker.

Mawathe also drew the Speaker’s attention as he repeatedly called for the Bill’s consideration to be deferred to next week.

“The reason why I am ignoring you members is because you are grossly out of order. In fact, one of you has attempted to remove the Mace, and I am therefore asking the serjeant-at-arms to remove you from the precincts of Parliament for a period of five days,” Shollei ruled.

Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah criticised the MPs’ conduct.

Addressing a press conference later at Parliament’s media centre, the opposition MPs said they were considering moving to court to challenge the vote, which they argued was taken without quorum.

They also claimed that the Bill was being fast-tracked.

“Kenyans must now know what is happening. The fight will continue after the lapse of my five-day suspension,” Mbui said.

Mawathe questioned the urgency of the Bill, saying it could have waited until Tuesday, when more members were expected in the chamber.