The National Assembly has banned the nominated EALA Member of Parliament, Falhada Iman, from Parliament premises after a video of her brawl with nominated MP Umulkher Harun Mohamed went viral.
Speaking before the House on Wednesday, April 9, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula addressed the fight between the two MPs as he announced the revocation of Falhada's access to the legislature.
Falhada's ban from the House is set to last for at least 90 days, and the EALA MP is expected to table a written apology within that time.
"Honourable Falhada is therefore excluded from accessing parliament buildings and facilities for a period of 90 days save on the day and time when she will deliver her written explanation, in which case she will be escorted by the Sergeant at Arms," Wetangula said on Wednesday afternoon.
For nominated MP Umulkher Harun, Wetangula announced a lifeline for her, as she will be offered the chance to explain herself before the house.
"Given that the incident involved a sitting member and a former member, I am inclined to first accord the current member, Honourable Harun, the opportunity to explain herself and to apologise to the house," Wetangula said.
Wetangula further indicated that further directions would be issued upon review of Falhada's apology. The Speaker also hinted that further action could be taken against the two parliamentarians after their respective apologies are reviewed.
During the same sitting, the Speaker further cautioned Members of Parliament against filming such incidents within the house as he hinted at possible punishment against the individual who recorded the two MPs in a brawl.
"The recording of the video of the altercation is claimed to have been done by a sitting member of the house. Should the claims be ascertained, it should also attract sanctions under the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act Cap 6.
After the incident went viral, nominated MP Harun took to social media on the evening of Tuesday, April 8, to accuse her counterpart of instigating the attack against her.
"My colleague from the EALA, who has expressed longstanding differences with my work, acted in a manner that I find unacceptable. She came to Parliament to do nothing but attack me, an incident that blindsided me and left me questioning what faulted the ambush," she wrote on Facebook, adding that she regretted how things unfolded.
Iman, on her part, also expressed regret, adding that the incident was "beyond the dignity of the House and the trust of the Kenyan people."
