MPs in scuffle over plan to censure Uhuru

By Peter Atsiaya

Two ODM MPs got into a scuffle after they differed over corruption in the Grand Coalition Government.

Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny went for Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba’s collar in a short-lived drama that sucked in their colleagues Fred Outa and Shakeel Shabir yesterday morning.

It all started with a heated argument between Prof Olweny and Mr Namwamba at the Kisumu Airport VIP lounge over the Sh9.2 billion budget estimates scandal that has put Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta on the spot. Namwamba angered Olweny after he defended Uhuru, saying there were no facts to justify a planned censure motion on him in Parliament by some ODM MPs.

Namwamba told his colleagues to wait until the Uhuru saga comes up in Parliament where they can all discuss the matter.

He, however, found himself in trouble when he said a report implicating Prime Minister Raila Odinga and members of his family in a maize scandal should also be brought to Parliament for debate.

Angered by the mention of Raila’s name, Olweny started charging at Namwamba, alleging that he was also involved in the maize scam.

Airport police officers and other eyewitnesses said an argument ensued with Olweny, Outa and Shabir insisting that Uhuru should be held responsible.

The MPs were angered by Namwamba’s argument that if Uhuru was to be crucified then Raila too should face the music for being mentioned in the maize scandal by the John Mututho-led Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.

It was at this juncture that Olweny came out strongly in defense of Raila saying the PM was not given a chance to appear before the Mututho committee as required by the rules.

"You are the one who ate the maize," Olweny yelled at Namwamba, who seemingly bitter with the remarks asked Olweny: "Which school did you go to?"

Grabbed by shirt

An angry Olweny then tried to grab Namwamba by his shirt but Shabir quickly retrained the Assistant Minister and in the process Olweny pushed Shabir who fell on Namwamba.

Outa and Onyonka also intervened before Olweny walked out.

As the drama unfolded, other dignitaries at the airport lounge watched in disbelief.

Namwamba had arrived from Nairobi while Olweny, Shabir, Outa and Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka were waiting to board a plane to the city.

Contacted for comment Olweny said: "I wanted to grab Namwamba and teach him a lesson."

He added: "After Shabir restrained me I pushed him with the aim of him knocking Namwamba and am happy he lost balance and hit him on my behalf.

His voice still quivering with anger, Olweny said: "We were arguing over the Uhuru scandal and he brought in Raila’s name," said Olweny.

Olweny said he told Namwamba that it was unfortunate that young politicians like him were defending leaders whose dockets have come under scrutiny in Parliament over corruption.

However, Namwamba downplayed the matter terming it "a small thing."

"There was absolutely no scuffle between me and Olweny. With my status I cannot engage in physical confrontation at any level," he said in a telephone interview.

He added: "We were engaged in a heated debate and not a scuffle."

He added that Olweny wanted Uhuru to be discussed and he told him Raila’s report on maize scandal should be brought before the House for debate and he got worked up.

Namwamba said he told Olweny that matters originating from Parliament could not be solved at funerals.

It is true

Shabir also confirmed the incident.

"It is true I restrained the two MPs but there is no big issue there."

But Outa said that the situation would have got out of hand had Shabir had not intervened.

"Hiyo ilikuwa Bunge ndogo (That was mini Parliament) and should not be an issue," Outa added.

He added that police would have been called in if the issue were that serious.

Kisumu OCPD Simon Kiragu said he was not aware of the incident.

"Am not aware of that and if it happened it has not been reported to us," said Kiragu.

 

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