MP Anthony Kibagendi suspended from Parliament over TV remarks

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament Anthony Kibagendi has been barred indefinitely from Parliament after accusing the House of being “auctioned” and turned into an appendage of State House.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula following concerns from MPs who termed Kibagendi's remarks as a disrepute to Parliament as an institution.

Kibagendi, during an interview on Citizen TV's Daybreak, alleged that Parliament was acting as a puppet of the Executive and was incapable of making independent decisions to help ordinary Kenyans. 

He accused Speaker Wetangula and his deputy, Gladys Boss, of what he described as the House’s subservience to State House.

“Gladys Boss, who, together with the Speaker, have handed over Parliament to become an appendage of State House,” Kibagendi stated.

In his ruling, Speaker Wetangula directed Kibagendi to stay away from all Parliamentary proceedings and facilities until he issues a formal apology.

“You’ll be excluded from the sitting of this House, until you bring a properly worded apology to the House for bringing the House in disrepute and that apology should be delivered to the Clerk, it will be looked at carefully and if the wording is acceptable, then it will be brought to the House and you will be allowed to come back to the House," Wetangula ordered. 

"For now, you’re excluded from the proceedings of this House, Parliament precincts, committee sittings, including your office in Parliament."

In his remarks on Citizen TV, Kibagendi expressed his disaffection over what he said was Parliament's inability to make independent decisions as well as the government's handling of protests. 

He warned that if police interfere with the upcoming Kakamega rally, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and team, youths would take to the streets in large numbers.

His remarks come amid reports that one person was killed during the previous rally in Kitengela.

"The only way to deal with (Police Inspector General Douglas) Kanja, we're waiting for them to try and disrupt Kakamega. If they do so, we go to the streets more aggressively with the youth of this country than it has every happened before," he stated. 

"We're going to the streets to demand the resignation of IG Kanja, CS (Kipchumba) Murkomen for the reckless handling of protests, gathering of opposition leaders, we won't allow them to continue intimidating us."