Chaos at Nairobi County assembly over Raila remark

The Nairobi County Assembly on Tuesday descended into fisticuffs over national politics pitting the Jubilee and Cord alliances.

Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from the two sides had to be separated by sergeants who had a hard time keeping apart some of the ward representatives.

Trouble started when the Leader of the Minority Abdi Guyo stood to issue a personal statement and made reference to the March 2013 General Election in connection to the political rallies held over the weekend to welcome former Prime Minister Raila Odinga home from the US.

PROMPTED WALKOUT

“We welcome baba back, but he should know that on March 4…,” he started before his speech was drowned by protests from Cord members.

Chaos started barely an hour after the Assembly, which has been in recess for the past month resumed sittings.

The Speaker, Alex Ole Magelo, expelled the minority leader from the House after he refused to apologise over the Raila remark, prompting a walkout by Jubilee members.

“It’s a very painful moment. I told you to keep national politics out of this assembly. I have to ask the leader of minority to leave,” the Speaker said.

The confrontation is reminiscent of the defunct City Council days and could upset the cordial relations the two parties have maintained in the assembly over the past year.

ISSUE ILLEGAL ORDERS

This has seen the assembly pass 10 Bills, which is considered one of the highest among the 47 devolved units. Jubilee has 63 ward representatives compared to Cord’s 64.

“It’s very unfortunate that the Speaker of the County Assembly has given in to pressure from hooligans in this House,” said Mr Guyo said outside the assembly.

“I want to warn Mr Magelo that as the Speaker he has to follow the law or I’ll take him to court for issuing illegal orders in this House.”

In the absence of the deputy Speaker Ken Ng’ondi, Sarang’ombe MCA Pius K’otieno was forced to take over the Speaker’s seat after Mr Magelo left in a huff.