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Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka

A Senate committee meeting ended prematurely after two lawmakers physically fought each other over elections of its leadership. 

Senators Beatrice Kwamboka and Mary Seneta exchanged blows and kicks, tearing each other’s clothes over the controversial election of Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina as the committee vice-chair.

While Trans Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito was elected unopposed as chairperson, Kina also expected to be voted without opposition.

The Narok senator has been proposed by his Kisumu counterpart Fred Outa and seconded by Kwamboka as the sole candidate from the opposition for the seat.

However, nominated Senator Farhiya Ali, who is not a member of the committee but had stepped in for her counterpart Beth Mugo, controversially proposed Seneta to vie for vice chair alongside Kina.

Though, it was not clear who seconded Seneta, the chairperson Mbito preceded to call for a vote for the position.

As the committee was readying itself to cast their ballot, Farhiya momentarily stepped out and came back armed with the signature of nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, saying she had instructions to vote on behalf . 

But  other members of the team  termed her move as fictitious. Omanga was reportedly backing the election of Kina.

“Since we cannot verify or authenticate, the claims of Farhiya of being instructed to step in to vote on behalf of Omanga who is not present, we will have to adjourn this sitting,” Mbito ruled.

House rules provides that a whip can nominate another senator who is not a member of that particular committee with the approval of the House Speaker.

After adjournment of the committee session, the alleged forgery of Omanga’s signature spiralled outside the Senate chambers as Kwamboka and Seneta insulted each other with unprintable words.

“You cannot tell me anything. Mimi ni mtu ya Raila Odinga and I am in the leadership, I will deal with you,” Kwamboka surged as she went for the neck of Seneta.

But speaking to journalists shortly after the confrontations, Kwamboka down played the altercation claiming “it was a friendly fight”.

“We are friends with Seneta. There is nothing much but I will make sure she is out of that committee,” she told People Daily at Parliament Buildings.

Later, Kina has attributed his woes to the “powers that be”, claiming they are against him being elected in any committee as chairman or vice chair.

“You have seen what happened, they don’t want me to lead any House committee,” the senator said.

“How come I have troubles in every committee I am elected to lead, I was elected the chair of CPAIC, I was kicked out and now vice chair of Health committee, the powers that be are against me.”