On 22 November 2018, the Parliamentary Privileges Committee recommended that Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Starehe MP Charles Njagua apologise over a violent confrontation that broke out in Parliament in 2017.
The committee, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, said its independent inquiry found the two lawmakers responsible for disorderly conduct after a heated exchange escalated into a physical fight. The panel said the conduct reflected badly on the dignity and integrity of the National Assembly.
The incident happened on 10 October 2017, when the two MPs exchanged bitter words before turning on each other at the Parliament media centre. Babu Owino, whose legal name is Paul Ongili and who is a former University of Nairobi students leader, was due to address a press conference at the time. Njagua was reportedly following him before security officers stepped in to separate them.
In its recommendations, the committee cited section 17(3)(b) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and said both men should be reprimanded for behaviour that undermined Parliament. The report did not propose any further disciplinary action against them.
The investigation was triggered by a formal petition from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in a letter dated 12 October 2017. The anti-graft agency had asked Parliament to take disciplinary action over what it described as unethical conduct and a breach of privileges.
The committee said it held five sittings, reviewed video clips submitted to it, and heard oral evidence from witnesses. Babu Owino also asked for leniency, saying the political atmosphere after the controversial 8 August 2017 presidential election was delicate.
The fight drew public condemnation in Parliament, and the two MPs later filed a report with the Clerk of the National Assembly after the intervention of security officers at the main Parliament building.
Related coverage at the time included reports on the clash and the later appearances before the House team over the fistfight.
