Kenyan MPs drop censure motion against Speaker Muturi

NAIROBI: A censure motion to discuss the conduct of National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was defeated last evening, but the House used the forum for reflection and soul-searching by MPs shouldering the heavy burden of indignity over soaring allegations of corruption and sex scandals.

The much-hyped motion for MPs to express their displeasure on Muturi's conduct, sponsored by Kibwezi MP Patrick Musimba, was turned into an avenue for members to reflect on their conduct as they struggle to salvage the already dented image of the House. Some even lamented openly at how they are now ashamed to introduce themselves in public as members of the House.

MPs took the chance to call for a re-look at the manner they have conducted themselves, arguing that they should take the opportunity to look at ways of redeeming their image.

Only five MPs – Dr Musimba, the motion's seconder Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), John Mbadi (Suba) and Silverse Anami (Shinyalu) –  spoke in support of the motion as the debate became a one-way traffic in support of Muturi.

Others opted not to either support or oppose the motion, instead urging MPs to look for ways of saving the image of the House, already dented by accusations of improprieties on the part of the legislators.

Musimba had sought to have Muturi censured, a call that fell as the House voted overwhelmingly against the motion.

The Kibwezi West lawmaker had accused the Speaker of degrading the character and the ability of MPs, accusing him of making "contemptuous, malicious and unfounded allegations". He accused Muturi of failing to protect the "honour, dignity and integrity of Parliament".

"The office of the Speaker is such a serious office. He is supposed to protect the integrity of this House. There have been actions by our Speaker that he has degraded MPs through his utterances, which pose a threat to this country," said Musimba in moving the debate.

Seconding the motion, Mr Gumbo challenged the manner in which Muturi had conducted business in the House, hailing Musimba for standing out to tell the Speaker the truth about his weaknesses.

"This country requires a great leader like Musimba who will tell the King that he has a bad breath before he embarrasses himself even to children," Gumbo said.

He accused Muturi of not paying attention to many complaints raised by members about his conduct.

"If I was to advise the Speaker I would ask him to listen and learn more even from those people he may view as fools," he advised.

FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT

But Majority Leader Aden Duale led majority of legislators in commending Muturi in the manner he had led the institution of Parliament, dismissing Musimba's motion as lacking substance.

"Time has come when we must stand up to be counted to protect the integrity of this House. We must look at the context in which the speaker made the comments he is being accused of making," said Duale.

He argued that the issues that had been raised by Musimba would have at best been canvassed in a speaker's Kamukunji, an informal sitting of MPs where the stringent rules of the House are set aside.

Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka kicked the debate on the need for retrospection by members, saying instead of spending time discussing Muturi's conduct, they should be worried more by the bad image that the 11th Parliament had attracted in the public.

"We no longer have names out there. This House is at a stage where the level of disrepute is very high. We are being attacked out there and we need to reflect on our own conduct," said Mr Onyonka.

He continued: "We have reduced the dignity of this House which is highly respected in this region. Instead we have now become a laughing stock. We have fast become a group of hecklers.  We are no longer holding the dignity of this House in our conduct. That is the truth".

Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba carried over the rallying call for members to reflect on how they had conducted their business, saying the House was in a crisis that members must confront in order to redeem their image.

"Until we reach a point where we can acknowledge that there is a crisis in this House, we will not make a difference and we will continue sinking the reputation of this Parliament," said Mr Namwamba.

"I do not stand here to be an advocate of the Speaker, but I must say the conduct and the image of this House is at stake. I would be the first one to stand up and say that I am guilty as charged, as concerns my conduct, how about you?" he posed.

Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo, was non-committal on whether he was in support or opposition to the motion, but termed the motion as narrow, arguing that the issues raised should have been discussed in a kamukunji after a recent leadership retreat of the House.

"This House is at the crossroads, it is on a public prism and it is upon us to look for ways of addressing the serious issues being raised against us," he said.

Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju accused Musimba of acting in bad faith with the intention of injuring the reputation of the Speaker.

"If the Speaker has done anything wrong, we are worse than him. We should take our cross instead of crucifying him. The conduct of the speaker or his uterances have not injured the reputation of any member here," she said.

CONTENTIOUS QUOTES

Kitui Central MP Rachel Nyamai said some of the contentious quotes listed by Musimba, were made by the Speaker in a light moment.

"We need to understand when the Speaker is being humorous, and stop confusing it with being hard on members. When the Speaker gives directions, it amounts to being warned and not being hated. What has happened today is not in good faith," she went on.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan termed Musimba's motion as unconstitutional. "The motion does not cite the sections of the law that the Speaker has breached," argued Keynan.

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