The National Assembly proceedings were on Thursday, February 11 temporarily disrupted after Speaker Justin Muturi was informed that Nyali MP Mohammed Ali had carried a gun to the debating chamber. – By John Mutiso.
Gem MP Odhiambo Elisha Odhiambo informed Speaker Muturi that he had spotted the Nyali MP carrying a gun tucked under his jacket, contrary to parliamentary rules.
“Mr Speaker I have noticed a behaviour that is not of good conduct for a member of parliament. I am sure we operate under particular codes of behaviour within parliament. I am not aware that a member of parliament is allowed to walk inside here with a gun. I have noticed that Ali is carrying something in his back. If that is a gun then we are not safe,’’ he said.
In his defense, Ali said he forgot to leave his things outside as he walked into the chambers. “My apologies, I forgot to leave my things outside. I am a human being. Mr Speaker. Allow me to surrender,” said the Nyali legislator urgig the members not to personalize the incident.
Ali, however,hit out at his Gem counterpart for making the matter public instead of quietly approaching him and telling him something was wrong.
“I think sometimes as MPs it is good and wise to behave like gentlemen, rather than announcing it on national television, he should have approached me quietly,” said Ali.
He said it was wrong for Odhiambo to politicise the gun matter, claiming it is dangerous and a threat to his life.
“Now my colleague is making it a Tanga tanga affair and putting my life in danger by going public,” Ali protested.
His colleagues, however, felt threatened and could be heard shouting at Ali to surrender his firearm.
