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According to proceedings in the National Assembly, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has been suspended for five sitting days after refusing to withdraw allegations that calls from senior government offices pressured state agencies to purchase shares in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

The disciplinary action followed a tense exchange between Nyoro and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula during Wednesday’s sitting, October 7. The Speaker repeatedly directed the MP to retract his remarks and apologise, arguing that Nyoro had failed to provide evidence to support his claims.

Nyoro had raised the issue while discussing the performance of KPC shares, arguing that the investment had declined in real value after taking inflation into account. However, Wetang’ula clarified that the matter before the House was not the financial performance of the shares but the MP’s earlier allegation that telephone calls had been made to influence government agencies into purchasing them.

The Speaker told Nyoro that he had not substantiated the allegations and instructed him to withdraw the remarks before continuing with parliamentary proceedings.

Nyoro requested two weeks to gather and present evidence supporting his claims. Wetang’ula rejected the request, explaining that the statements in question had already been expunged from the Hansard and could therefore not be substantiated at a later stage.

The Kiharu MP nevertheless declined to retract his remarks and maintained that his statement was truthful.

“What I stated is the truth, and the truth rides higher than the rules,” he told the Speaker.

Wetang’ula subsequently warned Nyoro that refusing to comply with the directive could result in disciplinary action under the National Assembly’s Standing Orders. The Speaker then gave the MP another opportunity to withdraw the allegations and apologise for what he considered misconduct.

Nyoro remained firm in his position and again refused to comply.

“I respectfully decline to withdraw,” he said.

Following the continued refusal, Wetang’ula ruled that Nyoro had committed gross disorderly conduct. He then imposed a five-sitting-day suspension, describing it as the most lenient punishment available under the Standing Orders for the offence.

The Speaker also directed that Nyoro would be treated as a stranger in the House throughout the period of his suspension, preventing him from participating in parliamentary proceedings during the five affected sittings.

The dispute highlights the parliamentary procedures governing statements made by legislators and the requirement for members to substantiate serious allegations raised on the floor of the National Assembly.

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