NAIROBI, Kenya — Chaos broke out in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon after lawmakers sharply differed over the Government-Owned Enterprises Bill, a contentious proposal that would clear the way for the privatisation of 67 state corporations.
The confrontation unfolded during debate on the Bill when a section of opposition MPs, led by Deputy Minority Whip and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, protested that the House lacked the required quorum to proceed.
They demanded that Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei defer the Bill to next week, accusing the Executive of exerting undue control over Parliament.
Their objections, however, were brushed aside as Shollei allowed Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to continue reading the Bill. Tensions escalated when a visibly frustrated Mbui attempted to grab the mace — Parliament’s symbol of authority — before sergeants-at-arms intervened.
Shollei reprimanded Mbui for disorderly conduct and subsequently suspended him, alongside Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe, for five days.
“Order, honourable members! Honourable Mbui, if you want to make a point of order, you have to do it with respect… You cannot attempt to remove the mace,” Shollei ruled, directing officers to eject the lawmakers from the chamber.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his removal, Mbui expressed dissatisfaction with how the session was handled. He accused the Deputy Speaker of shutting down legitimate concerns and giving undue latitude to the Majority Leader.
“I am uncomfortable with the manner in which the Deputy Speaker managed the House this afternoon. There was no reason to deny us an opportunity to stand on a point of order,” he said.
He further claimed that Ichung’wah had been “granted leeway” to allegedly insult opposition lawmakers without consequence, adding that such conduct undermined the dignity of the House.
The Government-Owned Enterprises Bill has become one of the most divisive legislative proposals this session, with opponents arguing that it could enable the sale of key public assets without adequate safeguards.
Supporters maintain that privatisation is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
The Bill is expected to return to the House next week amid heightened political tension.
