Kenyan parliament has suspended Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro from transacting any business on the floor of Parliament. The suspension comes after Nyoro declined to apologize for remarks he made concerning shares in the Kenya Pipeline Company. Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula ruled that Nyoro would remain free to attend House sittings but would not be allowed to contribute or transact any business until he apologizes.
The dispute arose after Nyoro made remarks on the floor of the House regarding the company's shares and was asked to provide evidence to support his claims. Nyoro sought two more weeks to present the evidence but declined to apologize, insisting that his remarks were truthful. He stated that what he said was the truth and that the truth rises higher than the rules.
However, Wetang'ula rejected the request for more time, saying the remarks in question had already been expunged from the official records of the House. The Speaker said there was therefore no material left for Nyoro to present as evidence and urged him to apologize. Wetang'ula emphasized that the House is a place of rules and that common decency must be separated from grandstanding.
Wetang'ula maintained that Nyoro could continue attending parliamentary proceedings but would not be permitted to participate in House business. The Speaker advised Nyoro that when he changes his mind, he will give him the first opportunity to participate. This decision was made in accordance with the rules of the House.
Nyoro's suspension has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans. Some have supported the Speaker's decision, citing the need for MPs to be accountable for their words and actions. Others have expressed concern that the suspension could be seen as a restriction on free speech.
The Kenya Pipeline Company has been at the center of controversy in recent times. The company has been accused of irregularities in its operations, including the allocation of shares to certain individuals. Nyoro's remarks had sparked a heated debate on the floor of the House, with some MPs calling for greater transparency in the company's operations.
The Speaker's decision to suspend Nyoro has been seen as a significant move in the ongoing debate over accountability and transparency in Kenya's parliament. The incident has highlighted the need for MPs to be mindful of their words and actions, and for the Speaker to enforce the rules of the House.
Key points
- Kenya's parliament has suspended Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for refusing to apologize for remarks on Kenya Pipeline Company shares.
- Speaker Moses Wetang'ula ruled that Nyoro can attend House sittings but cannot contribute or transact business until he apologizes.
- The suspension has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some supporting the decision and others expressing concern about free speech.
