This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On August 7, 2019, Kwale County Woman Representative Zulekha Juma Hassan made headlines after bringing her five-month-old baby to the National Assembly chamber.
According to reports, Hassan had an emergency at home and was unable to find alternative childcare arrangements.
Temporary Speaker Chris Omulele stated that Hassan's move was unprecedented and against parliament's standing orders.
Hassan defended her actions, stating, "This is my third baby in parliament, I have never done this, I have tried really hard, not to come with my baby, but today I had an emergency, so what was I supposed to do? Miss parliament and miss my duties just because of a baby, so that's why I just came with her, I knew I would only stay here for a while and later on I could leave."
Hassan also questioned why parliament had not set up a breastfeeding room for mothers with small babies, despite passing a motion in 2013 to provide such facilities.
