Chaos Erupt in Parliament as MPs Debate Political Parties Bill

Chaos erupted in the National Assembly on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, as members of parliament debated the Political Parties Amendment Bill 2021.

This comes after the MPs were recalled for the Third Reading of the bill following a request from Kipipiri MP and Majority Leader Amos Kimunya, who is also the sponsor of the bill.

During the session, Kimunya was roughed up following a violent altercation after he took to the floor to move the bill.

File image of National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya. |Photo| Courtesy|

Session Speaker Jessica Mbalu was forced to intervene and directed the Sergeants at Arm to protect Kimunya after he was attacked by a section of MPs.

The Sergeants at Arm were forced to guard Kimunya as he read his amendments.

The Majority Leader's amendment sailed through and now, political parties in the country will be required to submit coalition agreements to the registrar of political parties by April 2022.

Kimunya had proposed that parties submit coalition agreements to the Office Of The Registrar Of Political Parties (ORPP) four months to elections. 

The lawmakers had previously rejected an amendment proposed by Garissa Township MP Aden Duale who sought to have the clause proposing that parties submit coalition agreements to the ORPP six months to elections scrapped.

The lawmakers were at the centre of national headlines in the previous weeks following a fight that broke out in parliament leaving one MP injured.

The session saw Sigowet-Soin MP Bernard Koros injured in the face and ordered to seek treatment in hospital.

Minority Leader and ODM Charman John Mbadi was suspended for five sittings following the incident.