Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa and his Kisii counterpart Richard Onyonka were on Wednesday, October 12, engulfed in a drama after members questioned the appropriateness of their dress code.
Senator Karungo was dressed in a yellow half-coat and conspicuously missed a tie which members argued was a contravention of the speaker's rules.
On his part, Senator Richard Onyonka was dressed in a bluish Kaunda suit which attracted the attention of Nyandarua County Senator John Methu.
Senator Methu had risen on a point of order to question why the member was allowed into the chambers.
"I have been reading the speaker’s rules on the conduct of senators within the chambers of the senate. A male senator shall be dressed in a court, collar, tie long trousers, socks and shoes or service uniform, religious attire or such other decent dressing as may be approved by the speaker from time to time," the senator read.
Laikipia Senator and Nandi County Senator Samson Cheragei also questioned Karungo's yellow half-jacket. Cherargei, jokingly, likened the jacket to that used during the campaign period in the last general election.
“Mr Speaker when you look at my brother Senator of Kiambu, we appreciate that he is wearing a half coat which we famously used during the campaigns, I know there is a hangover but we needed guidance,” Senator Cherargei raised.
Senator Onyonka, however, told off the criticism and adamantly stated that he was appropriately dressed.
“I would like to tell my brother from Nyandarua that unfortunately my suit was not tied, but if you look at me I look quite handsomely presented for this house," senator Onyonka stated.
Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi who was presiding over the session came to Onyonka's defence and ruled that he was appropriately dressed.
“You are properly dressed Senator Onyonka, but always remember to button up,”
The speaker, however, ruled that both senators were appropriately dressed and subsequently directed the resumption of the day's business.
