Members of Parliament were denied bottled water during Wednesday, January 5, debate on the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
At the onset of the afternoon session, Isiolo County Woman Representative, Rehema Jaldesa, rose on a point of order to implore the Speaker to provide water for the members.
“Since morning, we have been denied water, and as you know water is life. Mr Speaker, if there is no water, there is no session this afternoon,” Jaldesa protested.
In a swift but subtle rebuttal, Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi asserted that the MPs had abused the privilege during the last session by using the bottled water as weapons.
“It is true that we do not have bottled water in the chambers,” noted Cheboi.
“You members were here last time when you utilized the bottled water for reasons other than quenching your thirst. We have, however, made provisions for members to have water outside the chambers,” clarified the Deputy Speaker.
During last week’s sittings, the MPs were involved in physical brawls as debate on the Bill heated up.
Sigowet Soin Member of Parliament, Kipsengeret Koros, was a casualty at some point, spotting a bleeding cut just below his eye. He accused Minority Leader, John Mbadi, for the attack.
Mbadi was suspended from the precincts of Parliament for five days following the ordeal, as Speaker Justin Muturi lay blame on the Kenyan electorate for the choices they make.
"The voters get as good as they vote in. Garbage in garbage out. Don’t blame me," stated Muturi.
The January 5 morning session also witnessed a brawl when opposing MPs attempted to disrupt Majority Leader, Amos Kimunya, as he rose to move an amendment in the Bill he is sponsoring. He, however, got reprieve when the Sergeant at Arms intervened.
Among the clauses in the Bill that were given the nod were a provision to compel Coalition Political Parties to hand in their agreements to the Registrar of Political Parties six months before the elections.
A clause to compel the Coalition Political Parties to field only presidential candidates but not candidates in other positions did not see the light, much to the chagrin of the pro-United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party MPs.
