The National Assembly was briefly thrown into disorder on Tuesday afternoon as MPs allied to the Democratic Change Party (DCP) sought special recognition following the swearing-in of Sammy Ngotho, the party's first elected member to Parliament.
Wearing green suits symbolizing their party, the DCP legislators erupted in cheers as Ngotho entered the chamber, accompanied by MPs Wanjiku Muhia and Augustine Mwafrika. The celebrations began before Ngotho had taken his oath, leading Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to call for silence.
Speaker’s intervention
"Order, Honourable Members. You know that when you are swearing in your colleague, it is 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 instructed before proceeding with the oath-taking.
Following the oath, the MPs continued to seek special recognition, disrupting Deputy Leader of the Majority Party Owen Baya as he tabled important documents. Despite repeated warnings from the Speaker to maintain decorum, the noise and low conversations persisted, with Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia notably leading the disruptions.
Wetang’ula rebuked Muhia, comparing her behaviour to that of a "head girl of a primary school," and reminded MPs of the need for order and respect during parliamentary sessions.
Dismissed point of order
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo Nguro attempted to have the DCP MPs formally recognized, starting with Nyandarua Senator John Methu, but the Speaker ruled the request "totally out of order" and urged the House to proceed.
Party colours in the House
While the Speaker declined to sanction the DCP MPs for wearing their party colours, citing a previous instance when UDA MPs wore theirs during Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku's swearing-in, he emphasized that such displays are only permissible on special occasions and are not part of the official dress code.
