House Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, on Tuesday, April 14, took up the role of the National Assembly comedian when he cracked a joke that did not go down well with the elderly legislators.
Speaking during the afternoon House sitting, the vocal Suna East MP singled out legislators above the age of 58 and jokingly asked they be allowed to leave as they were vulnerable to Covid-19.
"Mr Speaker I have an issue that I want to raise. The guidelines that you issued were very clear,
One of the guidelines was anybody above 58 years should not appear in the chambers, and I'm seeing Honourable Amos Kimunya, I am seeing Honourable Robert Pukose, these are octogenarians who should be at home Mr Speaker, we don't want to lose any member of parliament," he stated in jest, leading to an outburst of laughter in the House.
Some of the other members of the House could be heard questioning the inclusion of Robert Pukose (Endebess Constituency MP), pointing out that he was nowhere near 58 years of age.
However, Junet was not going to be cut short. He interjected and turned his attention on Igembe Central MP Cyrprian Iringo Kubai.
"Mr Speaker, another is the MP from Meru, Honourable Kubai, he retired from civil service before we were born and he's here. I am raising this out of good faith because I want us to be here after coronavirus. When you are told you are above 58 or 60, stay home with your grandchildren," Junet stated, leaving the rest of the House in fits of laughter.
In his rebuttal, Iringo clearly did not find Junet's comments the least bit funny, going on to defend his age and health.
"In your guidelines, it was clear that you said 'may' not 'must' and that you are encouraged and not stopped from attending this session, he told National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
"I am here because I represent the great people of Igembe Central and in my capacity, I know that I'm healthy enough and I have no problem. Therefore, if you have your own problems, that is your problem," he stated while looking menacingly at Junet who was trying his best not to burst out in laughter.
Watch Junet's hilarious joke below:
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