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{
"id": 1614011,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1614011/?format=api",
"text_counter": 115,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Hon. Members, I have one more Communication on the incident of violent altercation between a sitting and a former Member of Parliament that occurred on Wednesday, 9th April 2025. Hon. Members, you will recall that on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, I issued a Communication regarding an incident of violent altercation that occurred within the precincts of Parliament. The incident involved Hon. Umulkher Harun Mohamed, a Nominated Member of this House and Hon. Iman Falhada Dekow, a former Senator and a current Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). In the Communication, I directed Hon. Falhada to explain herself to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) in writing on Monday, 14th April 2025 by 5.00 p.m. I further ordered that the Member be precluded from accessing the precincts of Parliament, Parliament Buildings and facilities for a period of 90 days, save for Monday, 14th April 2025 being the day she was to deliver her written explanation to the Speaker. Hon. Members, I also indicated that upon reviewing the response by Hon. Falhada, I would guide the House on any further or other action that would be taken, not only on the two Members involved in the altercation, but also on the Member claimed to have recorded the video of the incident. I wish to inform the House that, indeed, Hon. Falhada delivered her written response to my office on 14th April 2025 as directed. Upon receipt of her written explanation, I reviewed it concurrently with the explanation and apology tendered by Hon. Umulkher to this House on Wednesday, 9th April 2025. Further, I reviewed the incident report submitted to me by the Serjeant-at-Arms through the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and the video clip of the incident despite it being an unauthorised recording. Lawyers like Hon. Otiende Amollo know the value of illegally obtained evidence. Hon. Members, from my review, I have satisfied that whereas Hon. Umulkher Harun Mohamed was involved in the altercation, she appeared to be the victim in the violent altercation and not the provocateur. Accordingly, she bears no fault in the matter, hence I will not prefer any sanctions on her. With respect to Hon. Falhada, the EALA Member of Parliament, and having carefully considered her detailed account of the altercation and the apology therein, I note that although her actions towards Hon. Umulkher were, indeed, warranted, they were not premeditated. I also note that she expressed an unreserved remorse and apology for the incident. However, Hon. Falhada was a visitor who decided to tag along another visitor into the precincts of Parliament. I noted that the visitor appeared to have been very enthusiastic in her engagement in the unfortunate altercation. As a former Member of this House and a sitting Member of EALA, Hon. Falhada did bear a greater responsibility to be of good behaviour. Consequently, I invoke the provisions of Standing Order 1 and vary the period of her expulsion from the precincts of Parliament from the 90 days that I pronounced on Wednesday, 9th April 2025 to 45 days. For clarity, the 45-day period commenced on Wednesday, 9th April 2025 when I gave the order vide my Communication No.18 of 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the period effectively ends on Monday next week, 9th June 2025. Hon. Members, you may also recall that when I reported to this House the unfortunate incident of the violent altercation, the House was in a profound shock as to the claim that a Sitting Member of this House recorded and circulated a video of the incident. To this end, I indicated that should the claim be ascertained, that abhorrent act would attract sanctions under the Standing Orders and Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, Cap 6. Witness accounts have identified Hon. Lawrence Mpuru Aburi, Member for Tigania East as the Member believed to have made and circulated the video. Indeed, I personally spoke 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."
}