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{
"id": 1553464,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553464/?format=api",
"text_counter": 42,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
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"speaker": null,
"content": "I wish to inform the House that I am in receipt of an Incident Report from the Chief Serjeant-at-Arms, through the Clerk of the National Assembly, regarding a violent altercation that occurred within the precincts of Parliament yesterday, Tuesday, 8th April 2025. The altercation, which is captured in a video in circulation, involved Hon. Umulkher Harun Mohamed, MP, a Member of this House, and Hon. Iman Falhada Deko, MP, former Senator and current Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Also involved was a visitor, whom I am notified was a visitor to Hon. Falhada. Hon. Members, Hon. Falhada was within Parliament on courtesy of the honour for Parliament to accord former Members of Parliament and Members of the EALA, the privilege to have unhindered access to Parliament and access certain facilities that are reserved for sitting Members of Parliament, including the gym. The continued enjoyment of that privilege by non-sitting Members requires the benefiting Members to conduct themselves in a decorous manner while within Parliament. It is, therefore, regrettable that, having been accorded such privileges, Hon. Falhada conducted herself in an undignified manner. Hon. Members, having reviewed the video and Incident Report, it is clear that the violent altercation between Hon. Umulkher, MP and Hon. Falhada casts Parliament in bad light, and is likely to reflect adversely on the dignity or integrity of Parliament and, indeed, the sanctity of the precincts of Parliament. Ordinarily, such a matter would merit referral to the Committee of Powers and Privileges for consideration and recommendation of appropriate action. Indeed, several Members who are keen on guarding the dignity of Parliament and its precincts have already approached me requesting that I invoke the provisions of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act (Cap. 6) and cause the incident to be considered by the Committee of Powers and Privileges. However, Honourable Members, given that the incident involved a sitting Member and a former Member, I am inclined first to accord the Nominated Member, Hon. Umulkher, the opportunity to explain herself and tender an apology to the House for the unbecoming conduct. With respect to Hon. Falhada, the EALA Member of Parliament, I note that she does not have a platform to address the House on the Floor of this House. In this regard, I direct that the Member explain herself to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission in writing by 5.00 p.m. on Monday, 14th April 2025. In the meantime, Hon. Falhada is forthwith precluded from accessing the precincts of Parliament, Parliament Buildings and facilities for a period of 90 days, save on the day and time when she will deliver her written explanation to the Speaker, in which case she must be escorted by the Serjeant-at-Arms. Hon. Members, upon reviewing the response by Hon. Falhada, I will guide the House accordingly on any further or other action that can be taken, not only on her, but also on Hon. Umulkher, based on the apologies that I have directed them to tender. Having said that, I shudder at the fact that the recording of the video of the altercation between the two Hon. Members is claimed to have been done by a sitting Member of this House. Should the claim be ascertained, it will also attract sanctions under the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act (Cap. 6). Nonetheless, I hasten to caution Members to resist the temptation of falling into such abhorrent behaviour. Hon. Members, I have told you before, sitting in my Chamber, I have watched some Members here filming the proceedings of this House. I called one Member and cautioned him because the Speaker on the Chair then did not notice. Let us avoid that kind of unhelpful behaviour. I wish to remind all Hon. Members that, Rule No. 4 of the Speaker’s Rules places the responsibility of the conduct of a visitor on the Member who invites such a visitor to The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}