Africa-Press – Kenya. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi has indicated that he plans to challenge National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s decision to suspend him from Parliament.
Speaker Wetang’ula on Tuesday, February 17, announced the indefinite suspension of the ODM legislator over remarks the Speaker described as reckless. The decision followed comments Kibagendi made during an appearance on Citizen TV.
During the television interview, Kibagendi raised concerns about what he described as the state of Parliament’s independence. He questioned whether the House leadership was sufficiently safeguarding the institution’s authority, suggesting that Parliament risked losing its autonomy.
Addressing members of the House, Speaker Wetang’ula strongly criticised the remarks.
“The moment you say the house is auctioned, you are part of the auctioned material. Try to conduct yourselves with decorum. When you go to the TV, know that the whole world is watching you. As long as I am your Speaker, I will protect your dignity and the dignity of the House,” Speaker Wetang’ula stated.
The Speaker told MPs that Kibagendi’s statements, including references to Parliament being auctioned and claims that its leadership had undermined the institution, were inappropriate. He subsequently directed that the MP be removed from the House and its committees pending an apology.
“Kibagendi, you will be excluded from the sitting of this house until you bring a properly worded apology to the house for bringing the house into disrepute. That apology should be delivered to the clerk to be looked at carefully,” Wetang’ula ruled.
He added, “For now, you are excluded from the proceedings of this house, the precincts of parliament, committee sittings, including your office in parliament. Kibagendi, you are now a stranger in the house.”
Kibagendi, however, maintained that his comments did not breach any House rules or written law. He described the Speaker’s decision as one he intends to challenge through the courts.
“I have instructed my lawyers to prepare an application to file in court seeking to quash the decision of the speaker and return me to the house,” he said.
The MP further argued that the decision did not follow what he considers to be the established disciplinary procedures. He said he believes the matter would have been better addressed through a formal process before the Powers and Privileges Committee.
Kibagendi also expressed concern that his exclusion from parliamentary proceedings could affect representation for his constituents, noting that he intends to seek judicial intervention on the matter.
