The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Speaker of tne Nairobi County Assembly Mr Alex Ole Magelo addresses members at the Charter hall during their sitting on Tuesday,April 23. PHOTO:COLLINS KWEYU/STANDARD
Three male sergeants-at-arms could not eject from the House a female MCA whom the Speaker had ordered to walk out for defiance.
Interim Speaker Samwel Nyangwara ordered nominated MCA Karen Wanjiku to leave the assembly on November 13 for disobeying House rules, but there was no female sergeant-at-arms to walk her out when she refused to heed the command.
The incident has prompted the assembly to demand the hiring of more female sergeants-at-arms. The assembly has a single female sergeant-at-arm who at the time was on a sick leave.
The rules do not allow law enforcement officers to handle members of the opposite sex.
Karen disobeyed Nyangwara’s orders and even taunted the officers to dare touch her.
“Dare touch me,” she said as 16 female MCAs stood up and interrupted the House business for five minutes until the Speaker gave in.
Male MCAs have complained over misconduct of some female members who shout and dance on the floor when the House business is going on. They say they take the advantage of the absence of a female enforcement officer.
