Query on Raila’s US trip infuriates Orange party lawmakers

What you need to know:

  • Kirinyaga MP Joseph Gitari had sought a statement from the Leader of Majority Aden Duale over Mr Odinga’s trip to Boston University, USA
  • Mr Namwamba challenged the the clerk of the National Assembly to screen some of the statements being sought before they are tabled to safeguard the credibility of the House

ODM leaders questioned the quality of some statements being cleared to be brought before the floor of the House after an MP sought to know if former Prime Minister had retired from politics.

MPs Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i), Mr John Mbadi (Suba), Mr Keneth Okoth (Kibra) and Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) wondered why Kirinyaga MP Joseph Gitari was interested in Mr Odinga’s private life.

Mr Gitari had sought a statement from the Leader of Majority Aden Duale over Mr Odinga’s trip to Boston University, USA, for a programme which is mainly reserved for retired heads of state.

He asked the majority leader to explain under what circumstances Mr Odinga qualified to go to the institution yet he is not a former head of state but had only shared power with former President Kibaki in the Grand Coalition government.

Mr Kibaki entered into a working pact with Mr Odinga following the 2007/08 post-election violence that left 1,333 people dead and more than 350,000 others displaced.

Mr Namwamba challenged the the clerk of the National Assembly to screen some of the statements being sought before they are tabled to safeguard the credibility of the House.

“How did this pass the office of the clerk? This is not a House where you play frivolous and nebulous games,” said Mr Namwamba.

He said it is no secret that Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki were co-principals in the Grand Coalition and said looking down upon one of them was unacceptable. Mr Mbadi expressing concerns that such demeaning statements should be avoided as they risked polarizing the country.

HUMILIATION

“Let us respect leaders who have made a contribution to this country,” said Mr Mbadi.

He said other leaders respect Mr Kibaki and President Kenyatta and accused MPs using the floor of the House to humiliate other leaders of lack of respect.