A scuffle erupted outside the Murang’a County Assembly on Tuesday after members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) together with residents of Kanyenyaini ward held protests.
The female Members of Parliament and residents protested against the suspension of Kanyenyaini MCA Grace Nduta from attending assembly sittings for four months.
Nduta was suspended following a Whatsapp message she posted on a political platform. It is alleged she insulted her colleagues in a social media debate citing their had misplaced priorities and failed on their oversight role.
MPs led by Betty Maina (Murang’a) and Mary Wamaua (Maragua) Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Veronica Maina (Nominated Senator) brought the assembly afternoon business to a standstill after they addressed a meeting at the main entrance.
Drama started when MCAs, who were inside the assembly finished their session and wanted to move out.
The ward reps got into their vehicles and started hooting demanding the parliamentarians move out of the way.
“We are through with our sessions and we want to go home, and we can’t wait until they are done talking” said one of the MCAs.
Efforts by police officers and security officers at the assembly to control the two parties were futile as each charged against each other.
Elachi threatened that KEWOPA will go to court to seek justice for the suspended MCA if Murang’a County Assembly will not rescind its grounds.
Senator Maina supported Elachi’s statement, saying that the team will go to court to petition Murang’a County Assembly’s decision as she did not say the words on the floor of the house as per the Standing Orders.
Maragua MP Mary Waithira condemned the move by speaker Johnson Mukuha and Leader of Majority Kibe wa Sally for not following the law and for not defending the interests of UDA party, and acting without a letter from the party.
Waithira also wondered why police had been deployed saying they had no intention of storming inside the assembly.
“We only came here to give out grievances and there was no intention of causing chaos as it was being purported,” she said.
Betty on her part said police should focus on dealing with criminals rather than camping at the assembly’s ground doing nothing.
Elachi further urged UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala to have the issue resolved.
UDA Secretary General Cleopas Malala is expected to visit the assembly on Thursday to look into the controversial issue that has brought Murang’a.
