This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On November 14, 2017, a heated debate erupted in Kenya's National Assembly when minority leader John Mbadi made a provocative statement, claiming that there was no sitting president in the country.
Mr. Mbadi's remarks sparked a fierce reaction from Jubilee allied legislators, who jeered and heckled him as he made his submissions regarding the nominations of NASA coalition and Jubilee party members to various house committees.
As the debate intensified, National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi intervened, demanding that Mr. Mbadi withdraw his statement. However, the minority leader refused, insisting that he could not withdraw the 'obvious.'
Speaker Muturi then ordered Mr. Mbadi to leave the parliament chambers, which he did, shaking hands with opposition coalition legislators, including Simba Arati.
The incident occurred during a motion tabled by Majority leader Aden Duale, seeking to approve a procedural change that would allow the National Assembly speaker to refer names of Cabinet Secretaries and other state officers directly to the respective House Committees on Appointments.
Mr. Mbadi's defiance was defended by Minority Chief Whip Junet Mohammed, who clarified that the minority leader was only declaring allegiance to the 'people's president.'
As the standoff between the minority leader and the National Assembly speaker unfolded, the NASA coalition was preparing to swear in their leaders, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, as the People's President and the People's Deputy President respectively.
