We don’t deserve such acrimony in Parliament

There can be no greater shame than what transpired in the august House last Thursday as Jubilee’s and CORD’s tragedy of chaos pushed through the contentious Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

That honourable Members of Parliament were caught on live national TV throwing fists, physically assaulting one another, throwing books and papers at each other, only demonstrates the level of intolerance we have embraced as a society. It was abhorrent and a huge blot on the honourables, seeing that they could not hold their own and agree to disagree.

Parliamentary decorum demands that members respect the Speaker and the Standing Orders while debating in the House. The Speaker should also win the respect of members by being non-partisan and employing Solomonic wisdom while conducting the debate. Nothing of that nature was witnessed on that black Thursday in Parliament. Those who showed disrespect to the hallowed House, where laws are made, should be ashamed of the title ‘honourable’.

Parliament should be a place of sober minds, representing diverse communities, Kenyans of different economic, social and political influences, but united by the desire to make our country better. Shouting matches and abuses have no place in Parliament. Still, we urge the national leadership to put more effort on consensus building, especially while drafting laws.

Indeed, MPs need not be antagonistic on each and every issue. What happened to lobbying among members? Crucial Bills on the floor of the House should have members closing ranks for the greater good of the nation.