Chaos in House as MPs trade words over KDF deployment

Kenya: Jubilee and CORD MPs exchange words over the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Lamu and Mombasa. The debate degenerated into a heated exchange that cut short the day's proceedings after MPs stormed out of the House.

The House was thrown into a near pandemonium as members exchanged words bitterly, with an MP reportedly breaking a chair as he walked out of the chamber in protest.

Members of the Sergeant-at-Arms were forced to take strategic position to protect the Mace as angry members faced off over a statement by Majority Leader Adan Duale backing the deployment of the military to quell violence in Coast. CORD MPs took issue with Duale's claim that the opposition was "has a similar language to that of the Al Shabaab". While defending the Government's decision to deploy the military inside Kenya, Duale claimed that calls by Opposition to withdraw troops from Somalia resonated with the terror group.

But the statement was heavily criticised by angry CORD members, who protested that Duale was demeaning them, but the Majority Leader insisted that he could substantiate his claim. "I only said that CORD is speaking the same language as the Al Shabaab, since they are both demanding that we withdraw our forces from Somalia," said Duale before he was ruled out of order by Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso.

House Speaker Joyce Kaboso ruled Duale out of order as members on the Opposition side rose on numerous points of order demanding that he withdraw or be named.

"If Duale, who stands out in this House as de facto Prime Minister makes such an accusation, then it is very unfortunate. He needs to withdraw and apologise," charged Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo. He was later declared out of order by Laboso after he said that "a terrorist cannot label other members as terrorists. We did not send our soldiers to collect taxes in Kismayu".

CORD members said the Government had violated the law by deploying the troops without passing through Parliament. "Under article 241 of Constitution, you are required to inform the House within seven sitting days. The State should inform the House why it did it, and how much it has spent," demanded Suba MP John Mbadi.

But Duale claimed that the law only applies in cases where there is a largescale deployment, and not in the current scenario, where the army was sent to reinforce other arms of State security. He claimed the deployment was done under emergency provisions in the Constitution that say the State can only bring a report to the House once the operation is over.