MPs Babu Owino, Jaguar sorry for 2017 fight, allowed back to chambers

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and his Starehe counterpart Charles ‘Jaguar’ Kanyi were admitted back to the Chambers after they apologised for their fight at Parliament grounds in October 2017.

The two first time legislators were kicked out of the chambers by Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi who refered to them as “strangers in the House.” He then read out their charges and granted them a chance to apologise.

The National Assembly’s Committee of Power and Privileges on Tuesday reprimanded the two for conducting themselves in a manner that reflected adversely on the dignity and integrity of the House.

“On Tuesday, 10 October 2017 at Parliament’s media center and in full view of public an glare of cameras, you Mr Charles Kanyi engaged in an extended and vicious scuffle and altercation with a fellow Member of Parliament,” read Mr. Cheboi said.

“This House expresses its displeasure on your conduct which brought ridicule and disrepute to the House and its membership. You are hereby severely reprimanded and warned to refrain from engaging in such behaviors whether in public or private life. I therefore reprimand you and require you tender and apology to this House.”

“I, Charles Njagua Kanyi, tender my unreserved apology to the members and this House for having acted in a manner that did not bring honour, respect, dignity to this House and undertake that I shall always abide by the responsibilities of leadership set out in the Constitution… I therefore beseech to be admitted to the chamber,” pleaded MP Kanyi.

Babu Owino was next but his attempt to spice up his apology with a joke backfired when he was forced to repeat his apology.

“I would like to apologise and say that Mr Speaker, I did not slap Jaguar, it is his cheeks that moved towards my hands,” said Mr. Owino.

This did not go well with Mr. Cheboi who ordered him to repeat and refrain from jokes which he did and was readmitted.

The two legislators traded blows within Parliament on October 10, 2017 after Owino referred to President Uhuru Kenyatta as a leader in charge of a caretaker government, whose reign “will end soon.”

After the dramatic incident, a shouting match ensued with Owino insisting that he would not recognise President Kenyatta’s legitimacy.

They were also ordered to deposit signed their apology sheets with the clerks.