Ojode forced to apologise for intimidating MP

By David Ochami

Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode was ordered to apologise to Parliament for ‘intimidating’ Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah during debate on Mungiki violence in Mathira and Kirinyaga.

Speaker Kenneth Marende accused Mr Ojode of impeding free debate and "amounting to intimidation" when the Assistant Minister disclosed that Mr Konchellah was being "investigated for inciting his tribe against other communities" in recent ethnic violence along the Trans-Mara border.

"I apologise," said Ojode after resisting a direct apology amid protests from MPs.

When Konchellah rose to contribute to debate on the Mathira killings and referred to recent mayhem in his constituency, Ojode retorted that "this member is one of those being investigated for incitement in Trans Mara".

This ignited a storm of protest from Mr George Nyamweya (Nominated, PNU), Ms Amina Abdallah (Nominated, Kanu) and Mr Gitobu Imanyara (CCU, Imenti Central.)

Meanwhile, the body of a man who died on April 19 is detained at Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary because the deceased’s family cannot pay Sh587,625 incurred during treatment and mortuary fees.

Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o told Parliament that Stephen Muchomba Thuo’s "relatives were free to collect the body after clearing the debt".

The minister claimed relatives could borrow money from the hospital’s credit facilities for the body to be released provided they undertook to repay the loan.