This archive report was first published on 5 January 2022.
MPs Denied Bottled Water Amid Tense Debate on Political Parties Bill ¶
On January 5, 2022, a heated debate on the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill took a tense turn when members of Parliament were denied bottled water.
Isiolo County Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa rose on a point of order to implore the Speaker to provide water for the members, stating, “Since morning, we have been denied water, and as you know water is life. Mr Speaker, if there is no water, there is no session this afternoon.”
However, in a swift rebuttal, Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi asserted that the MPs had abused the privilege during the last session by using the bottled water as weapons.
“It is true that we do not have bottled water in the chambers,” noted Cheboi. “You members were here last time when you utilized the bottled water for reasons other than quenching your thirst. We have, however, made provisions for members to have water outside the chambers,” he clarified.
The January 5 morning session also witnessed a brawl when opposing MPs attempted to disrupt Majority Leader Amos Kimunya as he rose to move an amendment in the Bill he is sponsoring.
Among the clauses in the Bill that were given the nod were a provision to compel Coalition Political Parties to hand in their agreements to the Registrar of Political Parties six months before the elections.
