NAIROBI, Kenya — Nyandarua Senator John Methu has dismissed controversy surrounding his brief occupation of the seat reserved for the Deputy President in the National Assembly, describing the incident as an honest mistake that has been exaggerated.
In a statement issued after Tuesday’s parliamentary proceedings, Methu said he was unaware the seat was reserved for the Deputy President and immediately vacated it after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula pointed out the error.
“I’ve seen some people blowing out of proportion an innocent mistake. When we were ushered to the speakers’ row at the National Assembly earlier today, my colleagues said, ‘SG kalia hio kiti kubwa,’ completely unaware that it’s the seat reserved for the Deputy President,” Methu said.
He maintained that there was no intention to breach parliamentary protocol.
“I was later guided by the Speaker and vacated promptly. Mi sikujua!” he added.
Attended DCP’s Historic Swearing-In
Methu was among leaders from the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) who attended Parliament for the swearing-in of the party’s first elected Member of Parliament, Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau, following his victory in the Ol Kalou by-election.
Kamau formally took the oath of office before Speaker Wetang’ula during the afternoon sitting of the National Assembly, officially becoming the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou.
Before administering the oath, the Speaker reminded members that the swearing-in ceremony was a solemn parliamentary process that required silence.
“You know that when you are swearing in your colleague, it’s done in absolute silence. You can celebrate thereafter, and the celebration will be in the garden out there, not on the floor of the House,” Wetang’ula said.
Kamau took the oath using the Bible, pledging to uphold the Constitution, faithfully serve the people of Ol Kalou and diligently discharge his responsibilities before signing the parliamentary oath register.
DCP Secures First Parliamentary Seat
Following the ceremony, Kamau described his swearing-in as a historic milestone for the Democracy for the Citizens Party, marking its first representation in the National Assembly.
He was elected after securing more than 35,440 votes in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, defeating UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who garnered about 5,450 votes, according to official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The closely watched by-election attracted nine candidates and was widely viewed as an early indicator of the political landscape in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kamau’s victory handed DCP its maiden parliamentary seat since the party’s formation, with Methu among the party leaders who actively campaigned for his election.
