National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was on Wednesday forced to begin the day's parliament session with only members of parliament from the Opposition wing present.
The rare spectacle caused a stir in the August house as the members present wondered why their counterparts had all failed to appear on time.
The Leader of the Minority Mr John Mbadi humorously proposed that the MPs from the Jubilee party had joined the Opposition's resistance movement.
"Honourable Members it looks like one side (of the House) is not present. I think this is very interesting, Honourable Mbadi you said they are resisting? That is quite interesting," Speaker Muturi played along.
[caption caption="File image of Speaker Justin Muturi during a parliament session"]
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The Minority Leader, assisted by the Minority Deputy Whip Chris Wamalwa, managed to whip about 50 of their legislators to move into the chambers in an attempt to meet the required quorum.
The House Business Committee was prepared to table a motion to adopt the Report of the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on the election of members to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Jubilee MPs had been delayed at State House where President Uhuru Kenyatta had called for a parliamentary group meeting.
"Mr Speaker, the proceedings of the House are very important that not even a policeman can stop you when you are coming to (conduct) the House Business. So, I am asking for the ruling of the chair because it is totally out of order for the government (side) to miss business and totally be absent from the proceedings of the House, Mr Speaker.
"I am aware they are having some serious trouble among themselves; so the ruling I am seeking from the Chair is that no parliamentary group sitting should be held during the hours of the sitting of the House," Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo suggested, seeking the Speaker's guidance.
Minority Whip Junet Mohamed joked with Speaker Muturi, observing that the session had been conducted cordially among those present.
"Mr Speaker, you have seen the way the NASA side has very good debaters, no parochial issues, no sideshows, right to the point, and I can see today you are very happy, Mr Speaker, even your face is more brighter than the other days," he jested.
[caption caption="File image of MP Junet Mohamed (left) outside parliament with Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharif"]
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