Editor's Review

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi were engaged in a heated exchange in parliament after he referred to some MPs as cowards and traitors.

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi were engaged in a heated back and forth in parliament on May 13, 2021.

This is after the MP had been summoned by Speaker Muturi to answer to allegations for allegedly referring to a section of legislators as conmen.

While presented with the opportunity to make his case, the Kiharu lawmaker opted for an explanatory answer, as opposed to Muturi's expected No/Yes response, thus leading to the exchange.

"Members believe that you referred to them as conmen. If you didn't say it, you didn't. Just like Honourable Kuria said no," Muturi posed.


Nyoro refused to give a yes and no answer, insisting that he be allowed time to explain himself, stating that the accusations are a weighty matter.

"Did you utter those words or did you not?" Muturi reiterated, interrupting the Kiharu MP.

"Mr speaker, I have gone through the standing orders and I don't think anyone has the powers to dictate to me how to respond to summons," Nyoro remarked.

Muturi dismissed the lawmakers claims, stating that the question was a matter of no or yes, not an opportunity to lecture parliament on the attributes of democracy and the rule of law.

"If you did not make the allegations just say, so," Muturi maintained.

Nyoro maintained that the matter was not easy, otherwise a response would have been drafted by his office for him to read.

Muturi urged the MP to give a no or yes, then proceed to give a background, before ordering him to take a sit.

Nyoro later conceded to using the word.

"I actually referred to some people as cowards, traitors, and sellouts. I actually did," he said, adding that some are in parliament.