This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 28, 2019, a heated exchange between Didmus Barasa, the Kimilili Member of Parliament, and Esther Passaris, the Nairobi County Woman Representative, made headlines in Kenya.
The altercation began when the two leaders got into a spat on the floor of the House while discussing an alleged sex tape involving Wajir Woman Rep Fatuma Gedi.
Barasa's outburst included a threat to punch Passaris, which she took as a serious offense. She rose on a point of order to demand that the lawmaker apologize for going against the standing orders.
Passaris cited Standing Orders 107 and 107b, which deal with the conduct of members in the House, and requested that the Speaker take action against Barasa's unparliamentary language.
Speaker Justin Muturi obliged, directing Barasa to apologize to Passaris and the House at large after consulting the Hansard report.
Barasa's apology was met with an unexpected twist - he invited Passaris to dinner later that day, saying, 'Mr Speaker sir, I withdraw my remarks and sincerely apologize to Passari. I equally invite her for dinner today at 7:30 pm.'
