Wetangula kicks MP Atandi out of Parliament in heated debate over de-whipping of Sabina Chege

Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi is the first legislator to be thrown out of the House by Speaker Moses Wetangula.

Atandi was thrown out on Wednesday as emotions ran high over the failure by Speaker Wetangula to communicate changes by the Minority side to remove Nominated MP Sabina Chege as the Deputy Minority Whip.

Although it was not clear what Atandi said amid the chaos, the Speaker was adamant that he was right in throwing the lawmaker out of the House.

The Minority side, led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, vehemently protested the decision of the Speaker seeking to know the offense Atandi had committed.

Speaker Wetangula however stood his ground and maintained the stance.

“That you didn’t hear the offensive words the member uttered does not mean he did not utter them. By the Speaker repeating those words amount to compounding an offense on the floor of the House, the Speaker cannot and will not regurgitate what the member said,” Wetangula said.

“Any attempt to challenge my decision offends the standing orders, whether you are in leadership or not I will not allow that.”

The heated debate arose after Minority Leader Wandayi lamented the delay by the Speaker in communicating the changes made by his side, removing Sabina Chege as the Deputy Minority Whip.

Opiyo accused Speaker Wetangula of undermining the Minority side by seeking to decide for them who leads them in the House.

“This House can’t be complete without the Minority side, therefore we deserve respect from everybody. It’s not the duty of the Majority side or the Speaker who is our Whip or Deputy Whip...that message should go home loud and clear. It has been more than a month since I wrote to you, that means our side is incapacitated,” charged Wandayi.

However, Speaker Wetangula promised to make the communication on whether Sabina will be de-whipped from her position on Thursday.

“I want to assure you that the Speaker is not going to be involved in parochial politics, he is not going to be part of the management of any party or coalition. But the Speaker is also enjoined in the oath that he took, to protect and defend the Constitution, and will do so without favour or prejudice,” he said.

“The ruling you are seeking is in its final stages and I can assure you that it will be delivered tomorrow (Thursday).”