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{
"id": 1268487,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1268487/?format=api",
"text_counter": 132,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": "It is at this point that a verbal altercation between the two Senators ensued. Officers of the Serjeant-at-Arms and a number of Senators who were in the room intervened in a bid to calm down the two Senators and defuse the engagement, which would have otherwise resulted in an unpleasant physical exchange. You will recall that on 28th February, 2023, the Speaker issued a Communication expressing deep concern at the state of affairs in the conduct of the proceedings of the Senate in the few sittings that followed the commencement of the Second Session on 14th of the same month. I highlighted that a number of Senators had exhibited outright abuse of privilege and that there was need to maintain decorum and order in the Senate. I also highlighted and appealed to hon. Senators to utilize other avenues for addressing grievances, instead of resorting to outright disorder, in the event that one is not pleased with the directives of the Speaker or the Chair. In that Communication, I ordered that a recurrence of the kind of disorder that was witnessed in the Senate at that time would not be tolerated. I also gave the assurance of the Chair and the entire Speaker’s Panel, that incidents of disorder would be dealt with firmly and without fear or favour. Hon. Senators, a report on what transpired on Tuesday, 18th July, 2023, between the time when the Speaker’s Procession exited the Chamber and when the two Senators left the precincts of Parliament, was submitted to my office by the Serjeant-at-Arms. Upon interrogating the report, I have made a determination that the actions of the Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, MP, in shouting as he did at the procession of the Speaker amounted to a disruption or an attempt to disrupt the Speaker’s Procession and constitute gross disorderly conduct pursuant to Standing Order No. 122 (1) (k). Standing Order No. 122 (1) highlights the instances in which a Senator displays gross disorderly conduct, which includes if he or she disrupts or attempts to disrupt the Speaker’s Procession. The sanctions for the conduct of such Senator are provided under Standing Order No. 122 (2) which states as follows - “The Speaker may call a Senator whose conduct is grossly disorderly to order, and shall order the Senator to withdraw immediately from the precincts of Parliament - (a) on the first occasion, for a maximum of three sitting days, including the sitting day of suspension; and, (b) on the second or subsequent occasion during the same session, for a minimum of seven sitting days and a maximum of twenty-one sitting days, including the day of suspension.” From the foregoing, and this being the first occasion for Sen. Edwin Sifuna, MP, to be grossly disorderly under Standing Order 122 during the said session, I direct that the Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, MP, withdraws immediately from the precincts of Parliament for a maximum of three sitting days, including today. The Senator shall not be allowed to access the precincts of Parliament, including the offices, Committee rooms, the lounges and dining halls for whatever reason, during the suspension. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}