Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino was on Tuesday, July 1, ejected from Parliament in dramatic fashion over alleged improper dressing.
The lawmaker was ejected by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who issued orders to Babu to change his attire before resuming the sitting.
Babu Owino was dressed in an advocate's gown, with his attire drawing attention from Mathare Member of Parliament Tom Oluoch, who openly called him out.
"If I look at the speaker's panel, including yourself, you are dressed in a collar. Is it in order that the member from Ebakasi East walks and sits in the house dressed as the speaker? We need guidance on whether this forms part of the proper dressing code of this house," Oluoch lamented.
"This honourable member may have been admitted the other day, but that dressing code may cause confusion."
Wetang'ula, who was in agreement with the Mathare MP, immediately ordered Babu Owino to leave the House until he changed his clothes.
"Indeed, Babu Owino, you are improperly dressed. Even your seniors (counsels) have never turned up dressed like that. I order you to retreat from the house, dress up and come back," Wetangula ordered," the Speaker ordered.
Before making his way to the National Assembly, Babu Owino was present at the Milimani Law Courts as a senior counsel to represent Ndiangui Kinyagia, a blogger who has been missing for 10 days since June 22.
Following the hearing, held in the absence of the main respondent, DCI boss Amin Mohamed, the High Court once again ordered the DCI chief to appear in court on Thursday to explain Kinyangia's whereabouts.
Speaking outside the courts, the Embakasi East lawmaker was critical of the DCI boss as he vowed to remain in Kinyagia's case to its conclusion.
"The DCI has decided it is not about prosecution but persecution. We, as leaders and advocates of Ndiangui Kinyagia, will pursue this matter to its logical end. This will be the last issue of abduction in this country," Babu Owino said.
The issue of dress code in Parliament has long been a contentious topic, occasionally leading to humorous outcomes.
In June, Wetang'ula was forced to clarify the issue of parliamentary attire after a showdown between two Members of Parliament.
It all started when Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo called out her Githunguri counterpart, Gathoni Wamuchomba, for wearing yellow during parliamentary proceedings. In what was a dig at Wamuchomba, who is a known ally of Rigathi Gachagua, the Mbita MP jibed that the yellow attire was inappropriate, as it hinted at political affiliations.
