Booted: Eddy Oketch ordered to leave Senate for disorderly conduct
Politics
By
Mike Kihaki
| May 14, 2025
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was ordered out of the Senate chambers after a heated exchange with temporary Speaker Catherine Mumma on Wednesday, May 14.
Senator Mumma directed that Oketch stay away for the remaining session over disorderly conduct.
Trouble began when Oketch sought clarity from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regarding the welfare of the striking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers who had been transferred to county governments but had not been paid.
"What is the CS doing to resolve the strike of UHC workers?" Oketch asked. "Will those transferred to the county government be paid by the national government the same way community health workers are paid?"
He continued, "Is the CS going to ensure they are put on permanent and pensionable terms in the ongoing budget preparation?"
READ MORE
Which Singapore? Controller of Budget downplays Ruto's dream
IMF to Kenya: Anti-corruption reforms key to new funding deal
New CBK loan pricing model sparks lower lending costs
NCBA to ride on Nedbank's muscle in regional expansion
Kenya, India seek strategic reset in trade, security and technology
Factories review the green leaf payment following farmers demand
Global hotels bet big on Maasai Mara as tourism earnings surge
Government steps up push for local manufacturing
Confusion over seafarer IDs exposes gaps in maritime governance
From breadbasket to brick and mortar: The death of Nakuru farmlands
However, Speaker Mumma appeared reluctant to allow Oketch a second round of questioning, citing time constraints, which sparked a tense back-and-forth.
"There are many questions that have been asked, but for the interest of time, may you postpone all the questions and let the CS answer the UHC one?" Oketch appealed.
"I have ruled on that question," Mumma responded.
"I'm not overruling you on that. I'm just requesting for indulgence," Oketch insisted.
Despite pleas from fellow senators, Speaker Mumma stood her ground and ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Oketch from the chamber.
"You are now becoming a nuisance," she said.
Even as the commotion unfolded, the CS remained firm, saying that the ministry was not planning to move UHC workers back to the national government payroll, signalling no immediate relief for the striking workers.