Patrick Musimba kicked out of Parliament for disorderly conduct

Hours to the end of the scheduled sittings of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kibwezi West MP Patrick Musimba joined the ranks of MPs who have been kicked out of the chamber for disorderly behaviour.

Mr Musimba was escorted out of the chambers on the orders of Speaker Justin Muturi after a lengthy verbal exchange.

The independent MP had risen on a point of order shortly after Kuresoi North MP Moses Cheboi explained to his colleagues the new standing orders.

Mr Musimba sought to make amendments to the standing orders to create a provision for the appointment of a leader of the caucus of independents and for the recognition of a party whip other than those named by the major parties.

But Mr Muturi told him that because the House had not reached the point where the standing orders were to be debated, and his proposed amendments had not been scrutinised and approved, he would have to wait.

The MP, however, insisted on arguing his point, even after his microphone was switched off and the Speaker had asked him to follow the right procedure.

When he persisted, Mr Muturi asked the sergeants-at-arms to see the Kibwezi West MP out of the House for the rest of the day.

Mr Musimba and the Speaker have had an interesting relationship in the course of the Eleventh Parliament. In 2015, Mr Musimba successfully sponsored a censure motion against him.

But the motion flopped, instead offering MPs three hours for self-examination and reflection on their performance.

The standing orders will be debated today. Among the significant changes is the creation of a special oversight committee headed by an independent committee and the creation of a provision allowing an MP who has been kicked out for long to appeal against the decision.