MPs must behave well next year

As we close the year, members of the august House should apologise to Kenyans for the unpleasant behaviour witnessed last week. The controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014, now signed into law, sharply divided members, but it was not reason enough to be so disorderly.

We dishonoured the top legislative House in the republic and during this festive period, all of us, across the political divide, must seriously reflect on events of that day as leaders of this great country.

We must learn from our individual and collective actions, because the conduct of that day does not befit Parliament. Debate in Parliament should never be lowered to that level. While discussing Bills in the House, shouting matches and personal abuse are not parliamentary.

The Standing Orders have explained clearly how members should behave in Parliament. No matter how sharply we disagree on an issue, throwing punches should never be part of our conduct. Indeed, the Hansard records our contribution and history will eventually judge harshly those who support Bills that go against the Constitution or the greater good.

The House should be a meeting of sober and well-informed minds, since the more than 40 million Kenyans look upon us to represent their views and aspirations. That is why we are referred to us ‘honourables.’ We should earn and deserve that title from the way we conduct House business, especially now that debate is covered live on national television.

We greatly shamed the hallowed House by throwing fists, physically assaulting one another, throwing books and papers and even splashing water at each other. The Eleventh Parliament owes Kenyans better service and patriotic leadership next year and part of the remaining term. That is the only way we can ‘cleanse’ our tenure and offer value to voters.

Going forward, MPs must take their legislative duties more seriously. Each of us has a duty to read each and every Bill or motion introduced on the floor of the House and make informed decision. We may come from different political coalitions, but our main desire is to make Kenya a better country and secure our future generation. On matters that touch on ordinary Kenyans and propose to make life easier, we should rise above party affiliations.

Our voters saw in each and every one of us, an ability to air their aspirations on the national platform. Politics is about numbers, but not everything that is popular is good for a country such as ours. When we need to close ranks on some critical issues, and not shy away just because the coalitions, binding us, demand so.