MPs Cause Havoc In Parliament Before President Uhuru Begins The #StateOfTheNation Address

There was drama during the special sitting on Thursday March 31 at the National Assembly where President Uhuru Kenyatta was to give a State of the Nation address.

Just as the president stood to begin his address, whistles rented the house, and the president could only smile and wait for silence.

The silence did not come, with the whistles said to be from opposition members. Uhuru had to leave the floor to Speaker Justin Muturi. The speaker called on members to give the president the opportunity to be heard.

“The president shall be heard in silence as per the standing orders. His address shall not be followed by any comments or questions. I have read out the convocation,” said Muturi.

His attempts to call the house to order were met with more challenges as the whistling escalated to heckling.

The speaker, who had again invited the president to speak, had to call out the legislators he said were leading the jeering.

“Honourables John Mbadi, T. J. Kajwang, Gladys Wanga, Opiyo Wandayi, Milly Odhiambo and Fred Outa, you are out of order!” the speaker announced.

The CORD members did not retreat, but went on whistling and shouting, and Opiyo Wandayi, T. J. Kajwang, his brother Senator Otieno Kajwang, and Milly Odhiambo had to be forcefully ejected from the house by the sergeant at arms, with the speaker quoting his authority to do so under standing order 111.

Muturi, assisted by Senate speaker Ekwee Ethuro managed to achieve some calm, after which the president started his address by saying: “After being thoroughly entertained, now we can get back to business.”

The order was short lived, as the heckling resumed, and over 30 minutes later since the address was to begin, the president was yet to start his speech.

The president finally began his speech a little past 3.50pm at the third attempt, as opposed to 3pm when he was supposed to commence.