Wamuchomba suspended for 20 days after walking out on Speaker

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Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Wamuchomba has been suspended from Parliament for 20 days after walking out on Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in protest over an answer given by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The MP’s question was also dropped on Wednesday afternoon after she refused to return to her seat.

Ms Wamuchomba had sought a report from the Cabinet Secretary on the total number of female bodies recovered from the Kware dumpsite in Embakasi, including an update on how many had been positively identified through forensic or DNA analysis.

She also asked Mr Murkomen to outline the specific steps taken by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to progress the case, locate the suspect, or identify additional perpetrators.

In his response, the Cabinet Secretary said investigations were ongoing to trace the suspect, admitting that the DCI was still pursuing leads. He appealed to the public for assistance, stating:

“A warrant of arrest was issued… Members of the public are encouraged to share any relevant information, Mr Speaker, with the police through the Fichua Kwa DCI toll-free number 0800 722 203.”

The response angered Ms Wamuchomba.

“Mr Speaker, I refuse to sit in this House to listen to the Cabinet Secretary confirm that this ministry cannot capture suspects who were previously in their custody. I refuse to sit here, Mr Speaker, to listen to that kind of answer,” she declared, before beginning to leave the chamber.

Speaker Wetang’ula asked her to resume her seat.

“Wamuchomba, you cannot ask a question and then leave. Go back to your seat…it is discourtesy,” he said.

However, the MP continued walking out, prompting the Speaker to call for order.

As she exited the chamber, Mr Wetang’ula announced, “That question is dropped… Honourable Members, that kind of bravado and playing to the gallery does not help at all. If I have brought you the minister to interrogate him, and his answers are unsatisfactory, I have given you a supplementary question to probe further. This is not a House for scoring Bonga Points politically; it is a House for representing your people.”

Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya then rose on a point of order, urging the Speaker to take stronger action.

“Mr Speaker, this is a House of rules. I urge you to show the power that matches the Speaker’s seat. I request that you use the Standing Orders and issue stern action against this member so that others do not repeat the same in future,” Mr Baya said.

Speaker Wetang’ula ruled that the 20-day suspension would not include the upcoming recess days.

“During those days she will be allowed within the precincts of Parliament, but she will not enjoy its facilities, including the restaurant, the gym, and the office,” he said.

Separately, while responding to a question from Seme MP Dr James Nyikal on the mental health of security officers, Mr Murkomen said the National Police Service training curriculum included stress management as a strategy to address mental health issues.

In a follow-up question, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko asked whether such intervention programmes were devolved to sub-counties, citing the rising number of cases in which police officers had died by suicide or killed family members.

“In Nairobi we have Mathare and Port Reitz, but they cannot cater for the many mental health cases we are seeing,” she said.

Mr Murkomen said he had visited police officers in at least 28 counties, where he had discussed mental health concerns.